Laconia, NH (February 27, 2020) – The annual Special Olympics New Hampshire Winni Dip fundraiser has grown in recent years and is now a weekend-long event. March 7th and 8th will see members of law enforcement jumping into the frigid water of Lake Winnipesaukee as well as middle and high school students and community members.

SONH is celebrating 50 years in the Granite State this year and has been using the “Nifty Fifties” theme for this year’s Winter Water Sports events including the Winni Dip events. On Saturday, March 7th members of law enforcement will be the first to brave the icy lake. A costume parade will be held in the Margate ballroom at 11:30 am followed by the Law Enforcement Winni Dip at noon.

“The partnership between Special Olympics and New Hampshire’s law enforcement is a great one. It’s a year-round collaboration that includes the Law Enforcement Torch Run, events like the Winni Dip and handing out medals during competition” according to SONH President & CEO Mary Conroy. “The Law Enforcement Torch Run has existed for more than 35 years and raised more than $6 million to support Special Olympics New Hampshire,” according to Conroy.

On Saturday afternoon the Cool School Winni Dip starts with a 3 pm costume parade. It’s open to middle school and high school students, faculty and staff. Cool School Winni Dip participants who have fundraised for SONH will head out to the Big Lake at 3:30 for an icy dip.

Sunday, March 8th brings the Community Winni Dip to the Margate. This is open to anyone 15 years of age or older and starts with an 11:30 am costume parade with the dip at noon time.

Special Olympics New Hampshire is rolling out a new fundraising dip this year as well. The 24-hour MEGA Winni Dip will cross over both weekend days. These participants will dip 24 times across 24 consecutive hours of the weekend.

All dips are followed by a post-dip celebration and awards ceremony.

Participants are eligible for an array of great incentive items as they raise funds to help change the lives of the more than 3000 Granite State athletes served by SONH. Fundraising is done online, and anyone interested in participating still has time to register at www.SONH.org.

About Special Olympics New Hampshire
Special Olympics New Hampshire (SONH) is an accredited program of Special Olympics International (SOI) and is part of an international global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world.  We empower people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all.  Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mark Ericson
603-624-1250 Ext. 22 
MarkE@sonh.org