Occoquan resident took part in 'plunge'

An Occoquan resident, sponsored by many Occoquan merchants, was one of seven members of Team Bi-Polar Chicks who participated in Tim's Rivershore Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Virginia for the first time last year.

Tracy Solberg, who also works in Occoquan, is back on Team Bi-Polar Chicks, which has grown to 14 members and will take the icy plunge again at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 27.

Last year the Chicks raised more than $3,000. They hope to surpass that benchmark for donations this year.

During the Polar Plunge, participants are called in groups or teams to jump into the Potomac River, safely guarded by emergency medical personnel dive team members.

Plungers enter at the shore and wade about 25 feet away from shore. Then they play in the water and dunk other team members until the cold water is intolerable and run back to shore for a towel, hoping it will warm them up.

The groups hope to raise as much money as possible to support those who participate in Special Olympics Virginia. Proper funding for these individuals allows them to compete in sports and be themselves. Often times, they are judged by how they look on the outside instead of who they really are on the inside their personality. These Olympi-ans are strong individuals and all have an immense amount of pride for others to emulate.

The first Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Virginia took place in 1993, when Adventure Club East was busy trying to find something fun and creative to do in the middle of the winter. Special Olympics Virginia was looking for new fund raising avenues and the two pieces just came together.

Due to its huge success rate, other states throughout the country have used the innovative concept to raise money for their own Special Olympics programs. Virginia hosts two annual plunge events -- the original Virginia Beach event and the Tim's Rivershore Plunge in Prince William County, now in its seventh year.

Bi-Polar Chicks are collecting donations for the Special Olympics through a Web site found at www.firstgiving.com/process/teamarea/default.asp?did1444&TeamId89338&EventId67882. Or, to donate support a specific

team member, go to

www.firstgiving.com/sova and conduct a search for the name of the Bi-Polar Chick team member.

The other members of the Bi-Polar Chicks are: Leslie Averitt, Stafford; Tammy Benson, Woodbridge; Linette Booth, Stafford; Stacy Botner, Waldorf, Md.; Candi Braley, Manassas; Christine Culverwell, Maryland; Ashlie Hampton-Gardner, Stafford; Shae Jurek, Fredericksburg; Sonya Manthey, Stafford; Juanita Taylor, Lorton; Lisa Thomason, Stafford; DeAnne Vaughan, Stafford; and Skooter Franklin, Triangle.

For further information please contact Tracy Solberg at 703-987-8116 or solberg66@yahoo.com.

-- Press release