HELENA — The 2020 Sweetheart Passion Plunge was held at Spring Meadow Lake State Park in Helena.
“We’ve got Hulk Hogan, we’ve got Rowdy Roddy Piper, we’ve got The Ultimate Warrior, and of course, we’ve got Savage,” said Passion Plunge participant Marty Earnheart.
These WWF wrestlers not only came to the Spring Meadow Lake to put on a show, they came to jump in the freezing water in the annual Sweetheart Passion Plunge.
“We’re jumping for Special Olympics. We appreciate what everyone does and really, we are just here for the kids,” said Earnhart.
The plunge is an annual event across the state that raises over $300,000 every year to support Special Olympics Montana, a non-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and competition for those with intellectual disabilities. Each plunger has to raise a minimum of $100 to jump in the freezing water.
“I feel great, I feel like we were on the Mania,” said Earnhart.
Many others joined in on the mania as well. Anyone can jump, even children with parent permission. Medic crews, police, and other organizations were on hand to make sure everyone had a safe jump. After the plunge, the jumpers got back in the water, but this time, in natural hot springs to warm up again. Anybody was welcome to view the event and support the cause.
“The very heartwarming piece to me is the law enforcement. Group that turns out in great force and the community members that come together. It’s a tremendous outpouring for Special Olympics,” said Vickie Donisthorpe, a spectator and volunteer at the event.
The next polar plunge is scheduled in Bozeman on February 15th, 2020.
