by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
St. Joseph resident MaryBeth Munden admits it’s a bit crazy, but she just can’t stop doing it.
Taking the plunge, that is. A plunge into icy lake water in the middle of winter.
“No, I just can’t stop,” she said. “The cause is such a good one.”
The cause is Special Olympics Minnesota.
Munden is one of many who dare to jump into water during the annual Polar Plunge, which is a series of fundraising events throughout Minnesota. It’s part of the year-round fundraising sponsored by Minnesota Law Enforcement agencies. From January through March, there are 20 Polar Plunges in the state.
For this winter’s plunge, Munden and her boyfriend, Rick Welch, will jump into a bone-chilling area of Mille Lacs March 12. Munden has taken the plunge seven times, the last four times with her boyfriend/teammate Welch. Their goal this year is to raise $2,000.
Munden is the dispatcher/receptionist for the St. Joseph Police Department and also works part-time at Kay’s Kitchen.
The non-profit Special Olympics helps people with intellectual disabilities overcome barriers through participation in sports.
To donate to Munden’s and Welch’s fundraising effort, write a check to Special Olympics Minnesota and send it to MaryBeth Munden, St. Joseph Police Department, P.O. Box 546, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Or a check can be dropped off at Kay’s Kitchen in St. Joseph.
Another way to donate is on Munden’s Polar Plunge website at: https://reg.plungemn.org/participant/marybethmunden.
A shock to the flesh, icy water has MaryBeth Munden and Rick Welch all a-shiver after their plunge for Special Oympics Minnesota in Sauk Centre in 2015.
