Elmira Student-Athletes Raise Money for Special Olympics
Elmira, NY -- The month of November can be a tricky one in terms of weather in Upstate New York State, as natives of the Southern Tier have experienced abnormally high temperatures, as well as snow flurries through the latter stages of autumn this year. However, one activity that does not usually coincide with November weather is outdoor swimming, but this is just what a handful of Elmira College student-athletes did last Saturday at Chenango Valley State Park, at the 4th Annual Binghamton Polar Plunge. All monies raised at the Polar Plunge is donated to Special Olympics New York.
"Within SAAB, there are different committees and one of them is the Special Olympics Committee," said Elmira College Student-Athlete Advisory Board Secretary and Treasurer,
Stephanie Tock '16. "We try to get the athletes to participate in any way that we can with the organization in or near Elmira."
Tock, a member of the Elmira College women's tennis team, joined up with teammates
Megan Fitzgerald '18,
Caitlin Dwyer '16, as well as EC women's soccer player and SAAB Vice President
Kimi Girmus '16 to raise over $745. Tock's donations from friends and family reached $500 this week, which is the fourth-highest total raised by a single participant at this year's Binghamton Polar Plunge.
"Participating and raising money for the Special Olympics was important to me because I want to work with that population after graduation," Tock explained. "I am going to continue my education and get my Master's degree in special education, possibly specializing in autism or multiple disabilities. Encouraging their love for sports and raising money for this organization was close to my heart and something I am very passionate about."
So far, the Binghamton Polar Plunge has raised over $14,000 to be donated to support the athletes of Special Olympics New York. Each Special Olympic athlete costs $300 to support for one season, so Elmira's contributions will go a long way for a pair of Special Olympians. Those interested in donating can still do so by
clicking here.
"There was a lot of hype at the actual event and I was so happy to see how many people came out to participate in the jump," said Tock. "Even though EC athletes had just two weeks to raise money and awareness of the event, we were able to raise enough money to support more than two athletes for one sports season each. I am hoping for an even greater turnout for the next one in March! To be able to get a large number of Elmira College athletes together for such a cause shows the sense of community that Elmira College has."