Kentucky Friends Create ‘Ice Bath Posse’ to Raise Money for Special Olympics

Special Olympics Kentucky has long hosted a fundraiser called the Polar Bear Plunge. I know this because I used to serve on the committee of and emcee the Owensboro event.  I have been there. I have done that. And it's friggin' cold.

Speaking from experience, I can tell you that this particular fundraising activity is not for the faint of heart.  I think anyone who willingly plunges into freezing cold waters is three things: 1) a total beast of a human 2) CRAZY and, most importantly, 3) admirable for doing something slightly insane for the sake of charity and greater good.

Some Owensboro, KY residents recently embarked on quite an admirable journey of their own.  This is the story of the Ice Bath Posse.

My friend Jennifer Francis-Gehring, who works as a therapist for New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services here in town, is a founding member of the group.  Here's how it started.

One year ago, in March of 2022, Jennifer and two of her friends signed up for a Wim Hof Method cold plunging class. Think ALS' Ice Bucket Challenge. However, instead of pouring a small bucket of ice water over your head you actually sit in a very large tub of ice water.

Here! Let's do this. Instead of me describing it, watch this video that was put together by Ice Bath Posse co-founding member, Ken Caselden.

It will show you what the Wim Hof Method is, how it works and its goal of healing and regulating the nervous system and building community and connection.

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Owensboro's Ice Bath Posse is ready to ramp up that community building. They have already recruited new members and several of them are heading to Lake Cumberland on Saturday, March 11th to take the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Kentucky.

Here's the team headed out next weekend:

THE ICE BATH POSSE POLAR BEAR PLUNGE TEAM

Bret Maynard – Captain

Ken Caselden

Jan Alvey

Clark Pelphrey

Jennifer Francis-Gehring

Jennifer says, "Some of us have a goal of raising $5000 and we want to support the athlete in ALL of us."  You can support Jennifer and the Ice Bath Posse.  They are each currently working to reach that 5K goal!

Special Olympics is an organization near and dear to Jennifer's heart.  Her brother Kenny has been a Special Olympian for over 40 years and has competed in bowling, softball, swimming, basketball and track and field. Jennifer says, "I know first hand that Special Olympics brought joy and laughter into Kenny's life and we need people like YOU to continue helping this great mission continue."

If you'd like to donate to the Ice Bath Posse's Special Olympics Kentucky fundraiser, CLICK HERE!