MOORHEAD, Minn. – Affinity Plus and Minnesota State Moorhead athletics helped raise $10,731 for Special Olympics Minnesota at the fourth annual Polar Plunge on Tuesday, April 14.
In total, 116 brave individuals took the Plunge, including MSUM President Tim Downs, MSUM Vice President of Finance $ Administration George Tippens and athletic director
Chad Markuson. Adding this year's total to the first three years gives the Dragons a grand total of $55,063 for Special Olympics Minnesota over four years.
Instead of jumping into a frozen lake, participants in the Moorhead Polar Plunge jumped into a custom-designed mobile plunge unit called the Plungester, which was located outside of Nemzek Hall. MSUM student-athletes got in on the fun as several Dragons were able to raise substantial dollar amounts for Special Olympics Minnesota.
Leading the way in funds raised was the MSUM volleyball team, totaling $3,299 as a team. Sophomore
Ana Werwie was the top individual earner, securing a lucky $777 for Special Olympics Minnesota. Dragon swim & dive raised $692 while junior
Maggie Moore brought in $560 herself. Moorhead women's basketball raised $655 led by $416 from
Adie Wagner. MSUM football tallied $423 for Special Olympics Minnesota led by $226 from linebacker
Brody Friend.
The $10,731 raised for Special Olympics has a significant impact on the group and those who are a part of it. Here are a few things donations can be used for:
$2.50 - Provides a first place athlete with a gold medal at an SOMN competition.
$5.00 - Provides a meal to an athlete at an SOMN competition.
$10 - Provides a hearing screening and hearing aids to an SOMN athlete.
$15 - Provides a non-invasive dental screening, hygiene education, toothbrush, toothpaste and mouth guard to an SOMN athlete.
$20 - Provides physical therapy screening and stretch/exercise coaching to an SOMN athlete.
$30 - Puts a child through an 8 week SOMN Young Athletes season.
$45 - Sends a coach to SOMN's Sports Academy training program.
$60 - Provides an eye examination and a pair of glasses to 2 SOMN athletes.
$100 - Sends a Unified Pair to SOMN's Athlete Leadership Program (ALPs University).
$250 - Implements a Respect Campaign into a school, business or organization.
$300 - Provides necessary equipment for an entire Young Athletes season.
$500 - Provides funding to start a new Special Olympics Minnesota Delegation.
$1,250 - Sends an SOMN athlete to Special Olympics USA Games.
Affinity Plus has been supporting Special Olympics Minnesota since 2008 and in that time, both the Credit Union and its employees have raised more than $700,000 for the charity. This year, Affinity Plus saw an opportunity to leverage its partnership with Minnesota State University Moorhead to bring the Polar Plunge back to the Moorhead community, expanding access to this unique and fun event.
About Affinity Plus Credit Union
Based in St. Paul, Minn., Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, financial cooperative that puts people first above profits. Members of Affinity Plus receive maximum value through competitive rates, minimal fees, and unique, member-centric products and programs. Established in 1930, Affinity Plus has 31 branches located throughout Minnesota and is owned by more than 260,000 members. Affinity Plus has more than $4 billion in assets. Additional information is available at
www.affinityplus.org or by calling (800) 322-7228.
