Kent State Student to take Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

Chrissy Motz needs your help to make her plunge into Lake Erie next week worthwhile.

That's right, the Kent State University student will take part in the upcoming Law Enforcement Polar Bear Plunge on Feb. 9, when she'll spend the day wading into a freezing Lake Erie to raise money for local athletes in the Ohio Special Olympics.

The 19-year-old, who competes in track, swimming, and ice skating, is attending Kent State via a grant program for children with intellectual disabilities.

Chrissy's mother, Fran, said she wants to one day have a career working with children.

"She did her first polar plunge when she was 16," Fran Motz said. "Chrissy is participating for her second year as super plunger. What that means is she is going in once an hour for eight hours into the freezing water of Lake Erie to benefit Special Olympics of Ohio."

Last year, as the first Special Olympian to take part in the plunge, Chrissy met her fundraising goal of $1,000 for Special Olympics of Ohio and raised enough money that $800 came back to support Special Olympians in Portage County.

"Because the plunge is earlier than usual (this year) Chrissy is having a hard time meeting her goal of $1,000 and can use any and all help she can get," Fran Motz said. "She said 'If I can get everyone to send at least $1, then I can meet and even go beyond my goal, and help more athletes like myself.'"

The money raised last year, with the help of then Stanton Middle School student TJ Harrod, helped pay for local athletes to attend the state games this past summer in Columbus, OH.

You can support Chrissy's efforts by visiting her donation page for the 2013 Polar Plunge via Special Olympics Ohio.

You can also join Chrissy's team, the Portage Plungers, by registering through her fundraising page.

"If you ever have the chance to meet Chrissy you will find that she is very much in support of Special Olympics and what it can do for others like herself," Fran Motz said.