Du Quoin man champions the Polar Plunge Saturday, Feb. 28

Bryan Sloan of Du Quoin (318-9304) doesn't mince words.

"I need your help. On Saturday, Feb. 28 I have committed to 'be bold and get cold' for the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois by taking a chilly dip into the campus lake at SIU alongside scores of other warm-hearted people during the annual Polar Plunge," he says.

"I have set a personal fund-raising goal and I need your help to reach it. So no, I'm not asking you to take the plunge with me, but instead, I am asking if you will make a donation to Special Olympics Illinois on my behalf for taking the 2015 Polar Plunge," he said.

Paul Melzer, Area 15 Special Olympics director in Southern Illinois, said 305 people have pre-registered to take the plunge at noon on Feb. 28. The plunge will take place at the campus lake boat dock just off Douglas Drive near the Arena. Another 85 have pre-registered for the Doughnut Dash at 8:30 a.m. that same morning.

You can make a donation payable to Southern Illinois Special Olympics and mail it directly to Bryan Sloan at 13 North Linden Street, Du Quoin, Illinois 62832 and he will turn in your check with those of other sponsors on or before the event.