WHEATLAND — On a blustery, cold, but sometimes-sunny Saturday morning, brave souls of all ages took a cold plunge into Reservoir No. 1. Every year, Special Olympics Wyoming helps organize a ‘cold jump’ in towns across Wyoming in effort to raise money for Special Olympic athletes who participate in local and state events throughout the year.
The Platte County Special Olympics organization hosted the annual Jackalope Jump fundraiser this past Saturday and exceeded their own goal by raising $5825.98. Jackalope Jump coordinator and coach Cassidy Kirlin was assisted by area volunteers to get teams and jumpers checked-in. Lori Morales, Leslie Sanderson, and Shenna Thomas set up their lakeside ‘office’ and registered indviduals and teams who were signed up to participate, but also registered those participating in the event as ‘walk-ins’. The Platte County Sheriff’s Department was on hand as well as the Guernsey Fire Department and Banner Health Paramedic Services.
Helping to organize and support the event was Cathy Bisiar, the Special Olympics Wyoming Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Special Olympics Wyoming is based in Casper, and Bisiar is headquartered there. “A lot of law enforcement plan the local jump events,” Bisiar said, “not all of them, but most, and they are such great supporters. All the jumps are different, not every location has the availability of an open body of water like Wheatland has. I love how these athletes go directly into the water!”
Four events took place across Wyoming in the same weekend, according to Bisiar. “We also just had the Jackalope Jump in Cody, Riverton, and Sheridan this weekend,” she said. “Cody’s event featured a slip-n-slide. The fire department comes and sprays the slide, and the participants end up in a pool at the end of the slide. In Sheridan, the sheriff’s department helps out with their event.” The Jackalope Jump is always a COLD jump, usually taking place in February and March.
Money raised at the events benefits year-round sports training and competitions. “There are four state competitions per year,” Bisiar added. “There are the summer games coming up in May, then area games and Wheatland is Area 3, which includes all of Platte County, Cheyenne, and Laramie. The athletes here love their coach, Cassidy!”
Funds raised also go toward the purchase of athletic equipment and uniforms, as well as travel, food, and lodging for the athletes. “Each local program raises money, and money raised today stays right in Platte County for this organization and local athletes. The state games are in Gilette this year,” Bisiar said.
Special Olympics helps transform lives through the joy of sport, each and every day, and gives people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to discover and experience new strengths, abilities, and accomplishments.
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Special Olympics Wyoming provides a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.Creating an inclusive and welcoming world for all.
IN WYOMING, MORE THAN 1,600 ATHLETES TAKE PART IN THE PROGRAM THAT INVOLVES THE SERVICES OF MORE THAN 1,000 VOLUNTEERS.
