TOWNSEND — Students from all grade levels in the North Middlesex Regional School District withstood the icy water during a mobile polar plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Massachusetts.
Approximately 90 students at all six district schools participated in the polar plunge, which was made possible by the Special Olympics of Massachusetts mobile polar plunge truck, known as Bear Force One.
The district was able to raise approximately $10,600, all of which will go to Special Olympics of Massachusetts, according to a statement provided by Superintendent of Schools Brad Morgan.
North Middlesex Regional High School has been recognized as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School due to its robust Unified Sports programs, which next year are being expanded to include a Unified Strength and Conditioning program. The Varnum Brook, Nissitissit, and Squannacook schools are also Unified Champion Schools.
Coaches and students from the North Middlesex Regional High School Unified Sports Program organized the polar plunge to demonstrate the school’s support for Special Olympics Massachusetts.
Students and staff could take the plunge in exchange for raising at least $25 in pledges. Bear Force One includes its own pool that participants jumped in to earn their pledges.
The Uncle Joey’s Cannoli and Tacos y Burritos Panchita food trucks served up goodies at the event, and donated proceeds directly to the North Middlesex Unified programs and to the Annual Special Olympics Game day for the North Middlesex School District.
This year’s annual Special Olympics game will be held on Friday, May 3, at the high school.
“This was a great event, and I was pleased to see how many of our students and staff took the plunge to support Special Olympics of Massachusetts,” said Morgan. “Our Unified Sports Program continues to grow, as does our support for Special Olympics and all of the lives that it touches.”
-North Middlesex Regional School District