Much like Team Virginia Natural Gas, the Thorpe Family also has been “Turning Up the Heat” on their Polar Plunge fundraising in recent years. The father, mother and son trio joined forces to raise more than $63,000 in 3 (three) years with their Area 23 Polar Plunge team. Mike Jr. has been involved in Special Olympics since he was 10 years old; his dad, Mike Sr., started the tennis program in Area 23; and his mom Heidi has served as both the volunteer coordinator and most recently, the medical coordinator.
Their involvement as a family has been centered around providing social opportunities for their son and connecting to a community of peers. “His life and social aspects are all through Special Olympics,” they shared, noting how much the program means to their family. They’ve also seen firsthand the impact the money raised through Polar Plunge has on the 23,000+ athletes of Special Olympics Virginia, and personally within their area program and son – so they decided to “go all in” three years ago.
Looking to meet up with Mike Jr. during the Polar Plunge festival this year? You will be sure to find him at a seafood restaurant chowing down on some shrimp after he takes his icy dip. This weekend vacation to the beach for good food, time with friends and of course the cold water, is something that Mike looks forward to every year. After a year off, he has some catching up to do. So, watch out shrimp!
You can support the Thorpe Family and their goal to provide more opportunities to athletes just like their son by donating to their fundraising page: https://impact.specialolympicsva.org/fundraiser/3522760.
