They call them the "Below Zero Heroes", brave folk that take a very cold plunge for a very good cause. This Friday, February 22nd, teams and individuals will gather at the Casper Recreation center, decked out in creative costumes, and jump into a tank of freezing cold water to support Special Olympics Wyoming Athletes at the 2019 Jackalope Jump.

The Jackalope Jump "is a fun-filled event where friends gather to celebrate the abilities and accomplishments of Special Olympics athletes and spread the message of joy, courage, and inclusion, " according to Special Olympics Wyoming.

The Jumpers raise a minimum of $100 per individual and $50 per team member, and those funds are used to provide equipment, training, and competition opportunities for more than 1,800 Special Olympics Wyoming athletes. After the cold, the jumpers and athletes gather to warm up and celebrate.

Officer Rollie Dunnuck, Captain of the Casper Police Department team, has been leaping into the ice water for the past four years, and we asked him how he feels working with the Special Olympics athletes. "I love it," he replied. "These are the most honest, sincere people you'll ever meet. They would do anything to help you, so I don't understand why we don't have more people helping them."

It's not too late to put together a team, gather donations and jump on your own, or find a team to donate to.

Casper Jackalope Jump:

  • Friday, February 22nd, Casper Family Aquatic Center
  • Registration at 5:00pm, Jump starts at 6:00pm
  • Open to the public, spectators are encouraged to come out and cheer on the brave jumpers.

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