Hannibal Polar Plunge Most Successful Ever

The fifth annual Polar Plunge at the Hannibal Marina Saturday, February 28 was the most successful ever.

In a press release from Hannibal Parks and Recreation, they reported a total of $14,673 raised for Special Olympics. The plunge took place at the Hannibal Marina in 20 degree weather with snow.

Notable participants were top individual fund raiser Neil Maune of the Hannibal Rotary Club, with the Rotary Club also being designated the top civic organization.

The winners of the contest for the top fundraising school and the costume contest were the Eugene Field Tutti-Fruiti Teachers.

Along with Parks & Rec, organizations helping make the plunge a success included Hannibal Police, FACT, Papa John's, the National Guard and the Hannibal Fire Department.

According to Missouri Special Olympics' Tim Schuster, "This was the most successful plunge we have ever had in terms of money raised in Hannibal. I know myself and members of the planning committee are very excited to see all of the support we got from the community. In light of  the weather the plungers, spectators and people of Hannibal showed the true spirit of giving in order to support Special Olympics Missouri. We couldn't have done this without our sponsors Hannibal Parks & Rec., The Hannibal Rotary Club, The National Guard, Hannibal Cavemen, and a special nod to Papa John's for providing free pizza to all the plungers."

Hannibal's Polar Plunge is the only plunge for Missouri Special Olympics that takes place in the Mississippi River.