The Township of Georgian Bluffs, a polar plunge and puck
OMERS employers raise over $10,000 for Special Olympics Ontario
March 30, 2026
March might not be the best time of year for an outdoor swim in Ontario. But when doing it in service of a good cause, like OMERS employer, Township of Georgian Bluffs, the water tends to feel just a tiny bit warmer.
A tiny bit.
On March 7, the township hosted the second annual Grey Bruce OPP Polar Plunge alongside the Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police, Inter Township Fire Department, Grey Bruce Paramedic Services and Special Olympics Ontario – Owen Sound. The community came together in support of Special Olympics Ontario for an event that saw participants raise money in advance of a brave leap into freezing waters. When first held in 2024, the event raised approximately $4,000. This year, over 150 donors combined to up that number to more than $10,000! Over 20 brave souls, including Township staff, Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers, and Special Olympics athletes, took a leap of faith; some even did so a second time! The Inter Township Fire Department had a dive team on site, remaining in the freezing tank to ensure everyone’s safety.
First we skate on ice, then we dive into it
The day began with a friendly hockey game between the Grey Bruce OPP and the Inter Township Fire Department. Owen Both, a local Special Olympics athlete, performed the Canadian National Anthem, then, before the plunge, led the crowd in reciting the Special Olympics Oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Attendees were provided free hot drinks provided by the Shallow Lake Minor Hockey League Canteen, with small prizes awarded to guests who brought their own mugs to reduce waste. Plungers also had the opportunity to select their own walk-up songs, adding even more hype and fun to a great day.
Funds raised help sustain both local and provincial Special Olympics Ontario programs, providing athletic opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.