Murray Middle School Takes the Plunge

Despite the pandemic, the Wilmington community saw another year of the Annual Polar Plunge. This year, just like any other, participants in the polar plunge had the chance to gather sponsors to donate to  Wilmington Special Olympics. Even with the restrictions and safety measures put in place due to COVID-19, Charles P. Murray Middle School staff and students raised $2,035.00  through their Polar Plunge.

In an effort to gain donations for the Plunge, the Unified Falcons set to work arranging the event and spreading the word through school and district social media. “This is our third year, so organizing activities is pretty seamless,”  stated Ms. Rosser, Murray’s  SDA Coordinator. Recruiting plungers, promoting the event, and raising funds for Special Olympics was a whole school event and a part of our commitment to being an inclusive school.”

Despite the restrictions affecting how the Polar Plunge normally operates, Murray participants agree that the socially distanced event was well worth the effort even with the cold water temperatures. In the end, the Murray Middle School community was able to find a fun way to connect amid the pandemic and make a difference in doing so.  The school tracked its fundraiser earnings and was ecstatic to see the number rise daily, meeting and then surpassing its goal.

 “Seeing the faces and hearing the excitement from students, especially our Special Education students, made it worth it. I would gladly participate again,” Ms. Shook, Murray’s AIG Teacher, said. “Sometimes we limit ourselves and underestimate the impact that we can have through our actions. Every person who took the plunge helped raise awareness and funds. All with a little water!”