Wood County Sheriff’s Department to Plunge for a Cause

Sheriff’s Department Raises Funds for Special Olympics

(OnFocus) The Wood County Sheriff’s Department will again take the plunge into icy water for a good cause.

The 2020 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics is taking place in Wisconsin Rapids at Ridges Golf Course on Feb. 1. Participating for a seventh year, the department has raised over $2,100 so far and has contributed close to $40,000 altogether.

Sheriff Shawn Becker will be among those taking the plunge this year along with K9 Deputy Brandon Christianson, Deputy Justus Arendt, Lt. Scott Saeger, Jail Sergeant Terry Johnson, and Corrections Officers Heather Burr, Tom King, Tina Cegielski, and April Krejcarek.

“The partnership law enforcement has with Special Olympics has been strong for many years. From the Polar Plunge, Run with the Cops, Tip-a-Cop, and the Torch Run, there are many events we partner with the organization,” said Becker. “Furthermore, participating in their events allows us to give back to the community.”

Last year, Becker plunged twice — once with his team, the other with his daughter Jordan and the Wisconsin Rapids Aqua Skiers.

A few Special Olympics athletes take part alongside the Sheriff’s Department, including Deputy Justus Arendt’s sister Allison Alft and Cole Cleworth. Cleworth is a yearly participant who is always the first to jump in and typically raises the most money as an individual for the Wisconsin Rapids event.

As of Tuesday, Cleworth was the top contributor at $1,063, followed by Sheriff Becker at $793.

In 2019, the Polar Plunge raised over $83,000 for Special Olympics. The Wisconsin Rapids Police Department is participating as Cops N’ Robbers. Support the teams by making an online donation at www.classy.org.

 

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