President’s Corner: December

Take the Plunge in 2025!

Dear Special Olympics Maryland Supporters,

The start of a new year brings excitement, opportunity, and the return of one of our most impactful fundraising events of the year, the 2025 MSP Polar Bear Plunge Presented by Allegis Group! In 2024, you helped us raise an incredible $4,448,956.69. This year, we are aiming even higher with a goal of $4,750,000and I am inviting you to help us set this new record together!

Your participation directly supports the 19,871 Special Olympics Maryland athletes and unified teammates who inspire us every day. Here is how you can get involved:

Plunge with One of Four Groups

1.  Cool Schools Plunge – January 29 & 30
   Schools and students, this is your chance to shine! Last year, a record 7,958 students raised an amazing $912,640. Let’s surpass that in 2025 and show the power of young leaders supporting inclusion and opportunity.
2. Police Plunge – January 31 (Noon Plunge)
   Law enforcement, first responders, and military personnel, join us for a great day of camaraderie. In 2024, 1,137 plungers raised $384,915. Together, we can top that total and continue building bridges between our athletes and our communities.
3. Corporate Plunge – January 31 (3:30 Plunge)
   Corporate teams, last year, you showed incredible generosity with 1,454 plungers raising $589,496. Let’s beat that record and showcase the impact of businesses united for a cause at a great, inclusive team-building experience.
4. Traditional Maryland Plunge – February 1
   The heart of it all: Gather your friends, family, or community group and plunge into the Bay! In 2024, 3,861 plungers raised $1,065,741. Let’s make 2025 even bigger!

Why Plunge?

The Plunge is our largest annual fundraiser, accounting for nearly 40% of our $10 million budget. Your support ensures that we can continue offering:

• Year-round training and competition in 27 sports at no cost to our athletes and unified teammates.
• Essential resources like uniforms, equipment, facilities, and transportation.
• State-level games and events, including housing, meals, and infrastructure needs.
• Recruitment of new athletes so more individuals can experience the transformative power of sports.

When you Plunge, our athletes play the sports they love, grow in confidence, and achieve their dreams. Together, we are creating a world where opportunity is not limited by disability.

Our Year-Round Program Continues in 2025 with our Winter Sports Season

Your support powers everything we do, including:

• Interscholastic Unified Sports Indoor Bocce State Tournament (February 11) – 300 athletes and unified teammates from 30 high schools will compete in Hagerstown.
• IUS Strength & Conditioning State Tournament (February 18) – 120 athletes and teammates from seven high schools will showcase their strength and conditioning skills at the Worcester County Department of Recreation & Parks center in Snow Hill.
• Winter Games at WISP Resort (February 23-25) – Over 160 athletes and unified teammates will compete in alpine skiing and snowshoeing.
• Basketball State Tournament (March 29-30) – Our version of March Madness will feature 90 + teams and over 900 basketball players and unified teammates who will compete on multiple courts at the University of Maryland including games on Gary Williams Court at the Xfinity Center.

So, join a team, form a team, and take the plunge for our athletes and unified teammates. Together, we will make 2025 a record-breaking year of inclusion, opportunity, and success.

Thank you for your support, and I will see you at the Plunge!

Wishing all the best in 2025,
Jim Schmutz
President & CEO, Special Olympics Maryland