2018 TOOL KIT - Special Olympics Maryland
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2018 TOOL KIT If you need assistance please contact us at plunge@somd.org or 410-242-1515 ext. 503
2018 Plunge Tool Kit
Contents
The 2018 Polar Bear Plunge 3
Getting Started 4
Where your Money Goes 5
Plunger Tools 6
Customizable Flyers
Plunge Posters
Plunge Email Icons
Plunge Website
Business Cards
Donor Receipts
Sick Note
Pledge Form
Fundraising Tips 8
Email Tips & Tricks 9
Social Media Tips & Tricks 10
FAQs 11
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2018 Plunge Tool Kit
2018 MSP Polar Bear Plunge
The COOLEST Maryland Tradition
The Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge is the largest Plunge in the world with
over 10,000 brave plungers accepting the challenge of raising money in support of
Special Olympics Maryland and jumping into the Chesapeake Bay in the middle of
the winter! Individuals, teams, schools, and companies all have the chance to
prove their courage and leave their comfort zones all while having fun and
supporting a good cause!
What is better than plunging into the Bay in January? Throwing your friends,
neighbors, and co-workers in with you! The Plunge is the best winter beach party
in Maryland! With a happy hour to boost your confidence and bands to get you
pumped, you will not only have the warm feeling of freezin’ for a reason, but will
create memories and traditions for years to come.
Corporate Plunge Team Packages
If your company is ready to take the Plunge and wants some extra attention, we
have got you covered! Check out our Team Packages that allow companies to
purchase multiple registrations at a discounted rate and get a dedicated account
executive that will help you create team and personal pages, organize your day of
experience, and even provide sponsorship recognition!
Click here to check out the Corporate Plunge Team Packages
Plunging not your thing? Check out the VIP Hospitality Suite!
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2018 Plunge Tool Kit
Getting Started
Show your courage and register for the 2018
MSP Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special
Olympics Maryland!
www.plungemd.com
Challenge your neighbors, friends, and co-
workers to show their courage and be freezin’
for a reason with you!
Compete against other individuals and teams to
raise the most money or have the coolest
costumes!
Jumping into the freezing cold bay in January
earns you some bragging rights! Post on
Facebook, email your family, or shout it from the
top of your building! Whatever you choose,
there is no doubt they will support you!
Every dollar you raise supports the Athletes of
Special Olympics Maryland! Check out the
Where Your Money Goes flyer to find out how
your chills and thrills helps Special Olympics
Maryland Athletes compete year round!
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2018 Plunge Tool Kit
Where Your Money Goes
Check out how your dollars given and raised are helping the
7,549 athletes of Special Olympics Maryland train and
compete year round!
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2018 Plunge Tool Kit
Plunger Tools
Customizable Flyer
These flyers are 8.5 by 11 inches and can be customized for
your team. These are great for promoting your team in public
areas or around the town so that plungers can easily grab the
information they need to join or donate to your team!
To get your customized poster, please contact plunge@somd.org
Plunge Posters
These posters are 8.5 by 11 inches and are great for displaying
in public areas or around the town to bring awareness to the
2018 MSP Polar Bear Plunge.
Click here to download your copies
Plunge Email Icons
Include the 2018 Plunge email icon in your signature line to
promote and encourage donations to your plunge team.
Hyperlink to your plunge team page and watch your
donations grow!
Click here to download the icon
Plunge Website
The 2018 Plunge is bigger than ever and has a revamped
website to go with it! Create your personal and team
fundraising pages, send emails to your team members, and
watch your team climb the fundraising charts!
www.plungemd.com
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2018 Plunge Tool Kit
Plunger Tools
Plunger Business Cards
Everyone in the working world knows how important a
business card is for building connections! Use these Plunger
Cards to build your fundraising network and direct your
donors and future team mates to your Plunge page.
Click here to download your set of Plunger Business Cards
Donor Receipts
The most important practice of fundraising is to thank your
donors! These cards are a quick and easy way to say “Thank
You” and provide a receipt for their charitable donation.
Click here to download your set of Donor Receipts
Plunge Sick Note
The best cure for the winter blues is a dip in the bay! Share
your “sick note” with your boss and co-workers and get
pumped for the Corporate Plunge!
Click here to download your prescription
Pledge Form
Technology not your thing? Keep track of your fundraising all
offline and turn it in on Plunge day! Sign the waiver, attach
your money and you will zip through the registration line in no
time!
Click here to download your pledge form
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2018 Plunge Tool Kit
Fundraising Tips
You’ve posted on Facebook and sent emails to your childhood best friend but now you want to
do more! Here are some unique ways you can raise additional funds and get the whole town
in on the fun!
Shovel your neighbors’ driveways
No one likes to shovel out their cars after the big winter snow
storm right? Collect donations for each driveway, walkway, and
cul de sac you shovel. Gather your team mates and take on the
whole neighborhood and watch your fundraising hit the next level!
50/50
Head to your favorite local spot to grab a drink or bite to eat and
break out the faithful 50/50 raffle board! This is a great way for both
you and the donors to win! Each raffle winner will get 50% of the
total money raised while the other 50% goes to your team. Hold as
many rounds as you want and sell as many tickets as you want. The
more you sell the more you make and the happier the donors are!
Bake Sale
Eating a warm chocolate chip cookie while sipping on some
hot chocolate is a great way to spend a winter day! You and
your team mates can bake all day and then sell to your
treats to neighbors, co-workers, and friends. This is a great
way to spread the warm feeling of freezin’ for a reason!
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2018 Plunge Tool Kit
Email Tips & Tricks
Email is a great way to spread the word about your Plunge participation, and to ask others to
join your team or pledge your cause. Where else can you reach people all over the world from
the comfort of your couch! Your personalized fundraising page already has the messaging
ready. Work with the system to recruit plungers, ask for donations and thank your donors.
Sample Text
I’m participating in the 22nd Annual MSP Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday, January 27th. I’m jumping into
the Chesapeake Bay to support Special Olympics Maryland athletes!
But – before I can dip my toes in the cool waters of success, I need your help reaching my personal
fundraising goal. Every dollar helps! You don’t need to be a million dollar giver, unless you want to be,
but a donation of $5 or $10 can help me.
Just click on my personal page link below, give me a little support, and watch me reach my goal! Of
course, you can always join me at the Plunge…or just wait for the pictures to appear on Facebook.
Keepin’ the water cool!
P.S. You can do me a big favor by forwarding this to someone you know!
Tips & Tricks
Make it personal: Tell others why you are plunging! Whether you are plunging
because it’s a Maryland Tradition or you love Special Olympics Maryland, others
want to know why it’s important to you.
Include Pictures– Whether its pics of you plunging in the past or you volunteering
at a Special Olympics competition.
Make it FUN! Have a competition to see who can sign up first or raise
more money.
Be sure to say THANK YOU!
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2018 Plunge Tool Kit
Social Media Tips & Tricks
Social media can have a large impact on your fundraising efforts! Check out these tips and
Tricks on how to use social media to your advantage and become the coolest fundraiser!
Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram
Make posts about everything from registration to donations to how you are preparing
to take the Plunge! Use #PlungeMD or #PlungePrep to show off all of the cool things
you are doing to support Special Olympics Maryland! Add photos and videos to make
you stand out. Who knows, maybe Plunge MD will share your stories!
Here are some ideas of what to say:
“I’m freezin for a reason for the 2018 #PlungeMD to support Special Olympics
Maryland!”
“Thanks @John Smith for helping me reach my goal for the 2018 #PlungeMd!”
“Today I challenged myself to raise $50 more for #PlungeMD and the athletes of Special
Olympics Maryland. Help me reach my goal by donating to my Plunge page!”
Sharing posts from Plunge MD is another great way to keep your friend and followers
updated as well!
LinkedIn
Challenge your peers at other companies to take the plunge by sharing your company’s
excitement and fundraising progress.
Make sure to follow us to stay updated on
all things #PlungeMD!
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FAQ’s
Q: Where/How do I turn in my money on Plunge Day?
A: Any money you have in-hand must be turned in at Registration. This includes cash, checks, and money
orders. Credit card donations are also accepted at Registration.
Q: How far do I have to go into the water?
A: We do not have any depth requirements for the Plunge. We leave it up to the comfort level of the
individual participant. Some choose to go all the way under, while others go ankle-deep.
Q: Where can I change before and/or after the Plunge?
A: We provide large heated changing tents for Men and Women. These are located on the beach, just outside
of the Plunge Zone, providing easy access to them immediately post-Plunge. Please note that neither the
event committee nor Special Olympics Maryland are responsible for personal belongings left inside the tent
that are lost or stolen during the course of the event. Leave items at your own risk.
Q: What else is there to do at the Plunge?
A: There is tons to do at the season’s largest festival! The day will include family friendly activities such as
face painters, carnival games, and a rock wall or visit our Ice Lodge featuring bands, beers, cocktails, and food
trucks! Enjoy time relaxing and hanging out with your friends from other companies before you take the
chilly dip into the Chesapeake Bay.
Q: What should I wear to the Plunge?
A: Whatever you want, within the following guidelines:
No wetsuits allowed! The less you wear the easier it is to change into warm clothes afterwards, plus
you won’t earn any bragging rights if you Plunge in a wetsuit!
Wearing shoes is strongly encouraged – the sand is very cold and this will go a long way towards
increasing your comfort
Lewd or indecent bathing suits or outfits are not permitted. Please remember that this is a family
event. Participants who disregard this policy will be asked to cover up, or will be escorted from the
park.
Still have questions? No problem!
Check out our full list of FAQ’s or
Contact us at plunge@somd.org
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