Pledge, Plunge & Party with Short’s to Support Special Olympics Michigan Athletes

Every morning at 5 a.m. Joe Short gets up and checks the water on Elk Lake.

“I cold swim every morning for at least sixty seconds,” Short said, “but don’t worry, the plunge at the Pull Barn will be much shorter and probably much warmer than my typical routine!”

Save the date for March 21, as Short’s Brewing will be hosting the Grand Traverse Polar Plunge in tandem with Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) and Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) at the brewery’s Elk Rapids location.

“Every Polar Plunge is a celebration of courage, community and commitment,” said Tim Hileman, President & CEO of Special Olympics Michigan. “Whether you’re taking your first plunge or returning for another year, every dollar raised helps create opportunities for athletes to compete, grow and shine both on and off the field.”

“We can’t wait to host the Grand Traverse Polar Plunge this year, fingers crossed it’s a warm March!” Rachel Payne, the General Manager for Short’s Brewing stated. “We’re hoping to break the previous fundraising record — the Short’s company team is currently fundraising and we’ll match donations (up to $2,500).”

Interested participants can get involved by pledging to plunge or by donating to a team. The plunge will take place in the Pull Barn parking lot utilizing the Plungester, a semi-truck-sized pool on wheels. Flannagan’s Goat food truck will be onsite for the plungers, and the Pull Barn will be pouring a special beer made just for the occasion, All In IPA.

All In IPA, a new release that’s available in six-packs and on draft, benefits athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Michigan. All In IPA is packed with tropical hop aroma but has very little bitterness on the finish, making it approachable and satisfying any time, but especially after an ice cold swim. All In IPA will be on draft at bars near Polar Plunges across the state.

For more information on Short’s Polar Plunge (and to enter to win a plunge-inspired getaway at Spillway Lodges) and All In IPA, head to shortsbrewing.com/plunge

For Polar Plunges across Michigan, visit plungemi.org