Thanks to our athlete, Michael, for the great images!

Mark your calendars and spread the word! The SECOND THURSDAY of EVERY MONTH  (except April when it is the 3rd Thursday) from 5:00pm until 8:00pm is “Spirit Night” for SOVA Area 6. A percentage from all of the receipts during those times will be donated to SOVA Area 6.  There are two locations:

10180 Lakeridge Pkwy in Ashland, located just off the Elmont exit of 95 in the same shopping center as Home Depot and across the street from Gander Mountain.

In Chesterfield, on Commonwealth Parkway near Brandermill.

Email Beth at Hanover@Area6SOVA.org for more information

Tonight is Prep for the Plunge at Bar Louie. It’s a great chance to meet some other friends of Area 6 and swap tips before the Plunge.

Bar Louie (at Short Pump Town Center)
11788 W. Broad Street, Short Pump
Evening of February 4

I will see you there!

2010 Special Olympics Virginia Polar Plunge and Winter Festival: What ifs…

I am sure everyone is getting all geared up for the 18th Annual Polar Plunge. It should be really “cool!” There is going to be a costume contest, ice and sand sculptors, bands and vendors to name a few of the attractions at Virginia Beach this weekend in conjunction with the 2010 Special Olympics Polar Plunge and Winter Festival. A fun time will be had by all.

Here is the Plunge Schedule: http://polarplunge.com/View/Page/Schedule

But, Special Olympics Virginia (SOVA) and Area 6 want to let you know that due to the possibility of inclement weather in our area this weekend, we understand if you are having second thoughts about plunging this weekend. Your safety is our main concern.

We also want to let you know that if you make the decision to not plunge, all your fund raising efforts are not wasted. You will be able to register and submit your donations via the Area 6 local program. You will still receive all the incentives available based on the money raised. The only thing you will not get is the Polar Plunge experience.

Here are the steps you will need to take to register and submit your donations if you decide to not plunge:

Print out the Plunger Registration Form found here: http://polarplunge.com/Site_Data/User_Files/Plungers/PolorPlunge_Registration_Form.pdf
Fill out the form and include somewhere on the form, your t-shirt size.
Print out a copy of your First Giving fundraising page.
Mail this form with the copy of your First Giving fundraising page and any donation checks received for The Polar Plunge to:

SOVA – Area 6 c/o Meg Powell
9214 Silverbush Drive
Richmond, VA 23228

Area 6 will review the form and submit the form to SOVA for inclusion in The Polar Plunge totals.

SOVA will then mail out your incentives based on the amount of money raised. Here is a webpage with the incentive amount and awards for your review: http://polarplunge.com/View/Page/Incentives

The deadline for your registration is February 28, 2010.

Thanks for all your time and efforts to support SOVA and Area 6. And remember, there is always next year!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Meg Powell, Area 6 Coordinator, 804-512-4363

Join the Draper Aden Associates team as they raise last minute Polar Plunge funds for Area 6!

- Free appetizer buffet and samples for donations
- Food and beverage specials until 9 p.m.
- Onsite donation assistance
- Meet the team participating in their 2nd Polar Plunge for Area 6

Bar Louie (at Short Pump Town Center)
11788 W. Broad Street, Short Pump
Evening of February 4

View Larger Map

Special Olympics is a year-round international program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics Virginia (SOVA) is the state program of Special Olympics Incorporated.

SOVA Area 6 serves athletes in the following counties:

Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, and Powhatan.

Sports We Offer

Year - Around Training

Powerlifting

Special Olympics Virginia’s 18th Polar Plunge Festival will take place on Friday & Saturday, February 5-6, 2010 in Virginia Beach! Thousands of friends and families of SOVA will jump into the Atlantic Ocean in the middle of winter. Each plunger must raise at least $100 to join the polar party.

To take the plunge, create a fundraising page at https://www.firstgiving.com/. Search for “Special Olympics Virginia” and register for Polar Plunge 2010. Make a team with your buddies and coworkers or join the Area 6 team!*

To donate, visit Area 6’s FirstGiving.com page: www.firstgiving.com/area6polarplunge

We have many athletes taking the plunge this year! Please support them too!

Graham Wright - Henrico - http://www.firstgiving.com/grahamwright2010

Visit www.PolarPlunge.com for more event information. Make sure you join our facebook event too! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31112391413

*If you donate or participate, specify you want your donations to support Area 6.

From 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18th, Mosaic (River Road Shopping Center) will donate a portion of the proceeds and all of the guest bartenders’ tips to Area 6. Greg and Susan will be the guest bartenders! Come out, have a drink, and be a fan of Area 6!

Polar Plunge 2008

Area 6 has an annual budget close to $75,000 to support our programs. Associated costs typically are registration fees, equipment, uniforms, travel costs, and facility rentals. Though we receive support from the state-level of SOVA and local governments, most of our support comes from our fans who can’t get enough of Special Olympics. Many are friends and families of athletes. Others come from service clubs, student groups, churches, and local businesses.

We also participate in and host several fundraising events throughout the year. Polar Plunge and Run With the Law are state-wide SOVA events that we always send a team to. In the future, we plan to host an adventure race, a golf tournament, a bowling tournament, a chili cook-off, and many other fun events to support our programs.

If you would like to contribute to Area 6, please visit our “Debut Donor” page to make online donations. You can offer your time and services by filling out the form on the Volunteer page. Or you can email our fundraising director at fundraising@Area6SOVA.org for other ways to help.

We are incredibly thankful for all the help we get. Thank you!

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 2nd at SOVA Headquarters.