Grey Bruce OPP Polar Plunge & Charity Hockey Game for Special Olympics Ontario Fundraiser Results

On Saturday, March 7, 2026, the Township of Georgian Bluffs proudly co-hosted the second annual Grey Bruce OPP Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics Ontario. The event brought together community partners including the Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Inter Township Fire Department, Grey Bruce Paramedic Services, and Special Olympics Ontario – Owen Sound.

The Polar Plunge is an annual fundraising event. Participants collect pledges before taking the challenge of jumping into freezing cold water. Last year, the event raised about $4,000. This year, participants and supporters raised more than $10,000, with over 150 donors. There were also more than 20 plungers this year, including Special Olympics athletes. Some brave participants even jumped in twice.

Funds raised support both local and provincial Special Olympics Ontario programs. These programs provide sport opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

This year, the event began with Owen Both, a local Special Olympics athlete, singing the Canadian National Anthem. This was followed by an OPP vs. Inter Township Fire Department hockey game, which ended in a win for the Grey Bruce OPP. Before the Polar Plunge began, Owen Both also led the crowd in reciting the Special Olympics Oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Free hot drinks were provided by the Shallow Lake Minor Hockey League Canteen. Guests who brought their own mug received a small prize to help reduce waste. Plungers also got to choose their own walk-up songs before jumping in the water. This fun addition was well supported by the crowd.

The top individual fundraiser was Aimee Gilchrist, who raised more than $1,800. The top fundraising team, The Ice Queens, raised more than $3,000 together. Team member Diana Meder raised $1,600 on her own.

Special thanks go to Jim Elliott from Northern Leisure in Port Elgin for providing a sauna where plungers could warm up after the icy dip. Thank you also to the Inter Township Fire Department for providing a dive team, who stayed in the freezing tank to help keep all plungers safe. Grey Bruce OPP Officer Kody Lyons lead the event with OPP Sergeant Krista Linthorne, who initiated the event last year. Dennis Both was the Special Olympics Coordinator who united all community partners, athletes, and donors. 

Thank you also to Mike Dunphy from Wasaga Beach, who provided us with photography. Don Dunphy from Starlite Graphics in Alliston, Ontario also played a major role in organizing the Grey Bruce Polar Plunge event. Don has more than 15 years of experience organizing the annual Peel Region Polar Plunge, which brings about 200 plungers each year. This year, the Peel Region Polar Plunge will take place on March 28, 2026, for anyone who would like to continue supporting this great cause.

Georgian Bluffs thanks all participants, volunteers, sponsors, and community members who helped make the event a success. We’ll see you next year!