Cold waters await donors with big hearts for the Special Olympics.
Deputy Artie Thompson is always willing to take one for the kids.
That’s why he’ll be putting on swim trunks and taking a dive into the wave pool at Hurricane Harbor at 9 a.m. Friday to raise money for Santa Clarita Special Olympics.
Thompson will be joined in this noble endeavor by Deputies Jim Vanderleek and Knute Pourroy and Reserve Deputy Dave Christianson.
According to Scott Jordan of the Special Olympics, donors who have raised $1,500 or more will be able to have a diver in the tank once every hour for the duration of the event, which ends with a “Super Plunge” at 9 a.m. Saturday. At least 18 jumpers have committed to the dives, which should raise at least $27,000 for the Santa Clarita Special Olympics program.
Thompson teased that there might be a high-ranking member of the station’s command jumping in for a good cause on Saturday.
The public is invited to participate in Saturday’s Super Plunge in exchange for making a minimum donation of $50.
“They have to sign up to donate at least $50 and we’ll send them a parking pass and have a ticket at the door,” Jordan said. Divers will then be allowed to stay in the park free for the rest of the day, as Saturday is Hurricane Harbor’s season opening day.
Those interested in making the plunge should e-mail Jordan at sjordan@sosc.org right away. He added that they are hoping to raise at least $30,000 with this event.
Santa Clarita Special Olympics serves 554 special needs athletes, providing 19 different sports in which they can excel. In two weeks, the annual Santa Clarita Spirit Games will be held at Newhall Park. The festivities begin at 9 a.m. on the track at Hart High School and various sports will be played out at the high school, in the park, in the Boys and Girls Club and at adjoining Placerita Junior High School. Admission is free.