Clackamas raises over $41,500 for Special Olympics Oregon

Clackamas staff work hard to make a difference during the 2021 BRRR…tual Polar Plunge.

We partnered with Special Olympics Oregon to raise over $41,500 this year as part of their BRRR…tual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. Each year the Polar Plunge event raises funds for Special Olympics Oregon. It also promotes understanding, acceptance, and inclusion among people with and without intellectual disabilities. This year our Clackamas team had 16 plungers. Seven of these brave plungers were Super Plungers who committed to a higher fund raising goal. Super Plungers also had to plunge 24 times each during the chilly month of February. One of our staff members serves on the Special Olympics Young Professionals Council, which helped organize this year’s Polar Plunge.

What does Special Olympics do?

Since its founding, Special Olympics has grown to be an international phenomenon! They have changed the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in 193 countries. No other organization has done more to foster inclusion and acceptance of this community worldwide than Special Olympics. The organization provides opportunities for improved health and economic empowerment to thousands of the most deserving individuals you will ever meet.

Because the individuals Special Olympics serves can be immunocompromised, playing sports together in-person was not safe in 2020. Special Olympics Oregon was quick to respond to the pandemic by keeping athletes engaged while distanced. Special Olympics Oregon developed virtual programs to help serve athletes. This programming includes Zoom based  fitness classes, a Facebook community, and virtual programming for their Fall and Winter Games. Several Clackamas staff members volunteered to coach these virtual teams.

Working together to make a difference.

“At Clackamas, we are passionate about improving lives, and the Polar Plunge is one of those incredible events that is not only a ton of fun for our team, but has tremendous impact in the lives of thousands of adults and children with diverse abilities,” said Aaron Goff, Clackamas Federal Credit Union President and CEO. “I am so proud of our team for their big hearts and incredible creativity in coming together for this great cause, despite the pandemic.”

“It wouldn’t be a complete Polar Plunge without the Clackamas Federal Credit Union ‘CU in the Water’ Plungers. Clackamas Federal Credit Union is a true partner with Special Olympics Oregon across so many areas of our work, and a champion of our athletes, both on and off the field,” said Britt Oase, Special Olympics Oregon CEO.

2021 was our fourth year participating in the Polar Plunge event benefitting Special Olympics Oregon. While this year’s event looked a little different compared to prior years, the Clackamas team came together to raise more funds and committed to more polar plunges than ever before.