Community Bulletin
The Healthy Hero Hustle 5K Run/Walk in Buckhannon will return for its third year on Saturday, September 19, 2026, as WVU Medicine St. Joseph's Hospital and West Virginia Wesleyan College team up again to benefit nursing students. Read more →
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BUCKHANNON — The 2023 Freezin’ for a Reason Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics of West Virginia raised nearly $17,000 through its event in Upshur County Feb. 11.
Alisa Lively, a board of directors member with the SOWV, said that as of Monday, the event had collected $16,846 in funds with several more donations anticipated.
Peter D’Avanzo dressed as Cupid won the costume contest in the individual category, while a team of Upshur County Schools bus drivers — including Amy White, Scott Presto, Jennifer Ervin, Andrea Lantz and Amanda Wingfield — picked up the prize for best costume in the group category.
Two awards were given out for the most money raised, and those went to James Friel ($3,500) and Alisa Lively ($3,270 and counting).
You can read more about the Special Olympics of W.Va. and its mission and fundraising efforts here.
Below are more scenes from Saturday’s Polar Plunge:
