The Special Olympics Thanks4Giving Dash and Splash was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In just one week from January 4-8, 2021, the Voorhees High School “Unified Plungers” rounded up 30 team members and were able to raise $2,645. Voorhees Unified Plungers ranked 2nd in the state for fundraising this year.
With the Dash and Splash being virtual, instead of plunging into the cold Atlantic Ocean, teams could “splash” by getting dumped over the head with water. If participants wanted to avoid the chilly splash, they could choose to “dash” and run a 5K. Participants were encouraged to submit their individual videos of their dash or splash to the team’s social media platform.
Seventeen members of the Voorhees High School Unified Club submitted their videos of being doused with water to the Unified Plungers Instagram account. Two members chose to run a 5K. See video linked below for some of the videos.
In addition, Unified staff members had a group virtual splash on Friday, January 8 in front of Voorhees High School. Assistant Principal Kelly Anne Kieffer and teachers Kaitlyn Collins, Angela Emmert, Melissa Haines, and Rebecca Schaefer socially distanced six feet and braved the 35-degree temperatures as Unified students, and Principal Ron Peterson, dumped buckets of ice cold water over their heads (included in video linked below).
A special shout out to the Unified Plungers who were individually in the top five for fundraising for the Thanks4Giving Dash and Splash. Voorhees High School senior Jenna Crampton raised $431 ranking third in the state, and Makenzie Vreeland raised #341 to rank fifth in the state. Great job Voorhees Unified!!
Click link for the Voorhees Unified Plungers Video.
For more information on the Dash and Splash, please visit: https://www.sonj.org/events/thanks4giving-plunge/ 
