13th Annual Special Olympics Georgia Polar Plunge Challenge

By Traci Sanders

The average temperature in Georgia during the month of February is in the mid-fifties, which means lake temperatures will be at least ten to twelve degrees colder. Would you jump into those icy waters on a winter day? On February 19th, a group of brave individuals will do just that!

Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) will hold its 13th Annual Polar Plunge Challenge, a huge fundraising effort benefiting Special Olympics and the athletes. This electrifying event will take place at Acworth Beach at Cable Park on Lake Acworth. In order to participate, individuals or teams collect pledges from friends, family, and colleagues to lock in their spot.

SOGA also partners each year with local businesses and organizations to raise money for these athletes. “The more we raise, the more athletes we impact,” said Marketing and Events Manager Catherine Justice.

This year SOGA has teamed up with three police agencies: Gwinnett County Police Department, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, and Lilburn Police Department. Private donations for this event are being accepted on each agency’s website.

Specifically, these organizations sponsor SOGA through the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which improves the lives of those with intellectual disabilities by providing year-round sports training and by covering food and travel accommodations for the athletes who compete. This is a cause that hits home for many of these officers. Therefore, some participate in the Polar Plunge, while others donate their time in other aspects, such as raising funds and managing security for the events.

More information about the Torch Run can be found at https://www. specialolympicsga.org/torch-run/

The admins and coordinators at SOGA are highly involved in these events and many even brave the icy waters and take the plunge with the athletes. This year the goal is $200,000 and they are confident they’ll meet it, with the help of the police officers and private citizens. Preset donations ranging from $25 to $1,000, or custom contributions, can be made on the SOGA website.

Spectators are welcome to come out to this event to cheer on these “plungers” and support this great cause.

More information at https://www.classy.org/event/polar-plunge-2022/ e371535.

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Health Matters Continued from page 10

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Dr. Jasmine Hawkins

Dr. Jasmine Hawkins was born and raised in Laplace, Louisiana and attended Alcorn State University where she obtained her bachelor’s in pre medicine/biochemistry. Afterwards, she attended medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Cente Dr. Jasmine Hawkins was born and raised in Laplace, Louisiana and attended Alcorn State r and joined the OB/GYN residency upon graduation in 2017. Her love for women’s health started as a senior in high school when University where she obtained her bachelor’s in pre medicine/biochemistry. Afterwards, she became interested in teen health advocacy and since then expounded as she continued to obtain knowledge in the field. Dr. Jasmine Hawkins was born and raised in Laplace, Louisiana and attended Alcorn State University where she obtained her she attended medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and joined the Dr. Hawkins is married with 2 children, enjoys sports (especially baseball), traveling, cooking, reading James Patterson and bachelor’s in pre medicine/biochemistry. Afterwards, she attended medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Cente OB/GYN residency upon graduation in 2017. Her love for women’s health started as a r John Grisham and spending time with family and friends. and joined the OB/GYN residency upon graduation in 2017. Her love for women’s health started as a senior in high school when senior in high school when she became interested in teen health advocacy and since then she became interested in teen health advocacy and since then expounded as she continued to obtain knowledge in the field. Dr. Hawkins is married with 2 children, enjoys sports (especially baseball), traveling, cooking, reading James Patterson and expounded as she continued to obtain knowledge in the field. John Grisham and spending time with family and friends. Dr. Hawkins is married with 2 children, enjoys sports (especially baseball), traveling, cooking, reading James Patterson and John Grisham and spending time with family and friends.

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