The Upshur County Special Olympics program has increased in size over the past year, and its director is hoping the community will help keep that momentum going by turning out for the 2026 Polar Plunge on February 28.
The event, which serves as the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, will take place at the Riverwalk Boat Ramp in Buckhannon. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m., a costume contest kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and the plunge itself begins at 2 p.m. An after-party will follow immediately at the Opera House at 12 E Main Street, with free admission for plungers and a $10 donation encouraged for other guests.
Dion Wamsley, director of Upshur County Special Olympics, said the Polar Plunge has generated roughly $15,000 to $16,000 each of the last few years. This year, the state organization is giving the county program 40% of the proceeds — a significant increase that could provide a major financial boost.
“If this thing does $16,000 like it has been doing, 40% of that is a pretty little chunk of change,” Wamsley said in an interview.
The money goes directly toward getting local athletes to competitions and events. Bus transportation alone runs more than $1,000, and with overnight stays, chaperone costs and other expenses, the bills add up fast — especially with a growing roster.
“I encourage the county to support this organization,” Wamsley said. “I’m trying to let people know it’s not just us begging for money, but we do need money to go. The lives of these individuals are important, and it matters.”
Wamsley said the Upshur County program has seen steady growth. Last year, he took 21 athletes to the Spring Games. This year, he expects 40.
The program now includes a cheerleading squad, basketball skills competitions and two unified teams — squads where community members play alongside Special Olympics athletes.
The growth has also attracted attention from West Virginia Wesleyan College. Wamsley said Wesleyan head basketball coach Derek Sloan recently brought seven of his players to practice with the athletes.
“You should see the smiles,” Wamsley said. “They couldn’t believe it.”
Sloan and the Bobcats are also set to help as Special Olympics hosts a regional basketball tournament on Sunday, February 15. The event, which starts at 10 a.m., will be held at the West Virginia Wesleyan College main gym and is open to the public.
With more athletes now in the program, Wamsley needs 12 chaperones to meet the required one-to-three ratio. That means 50+ people traveling to the state tournament in Morgantown in mid-March alone, he said.
“Some of these athletes are older than me by 10 years,” Wamsley said. “Some of them don’t have anybody to support them. That’s why I’m getting so many people in this organization, because they want to be cared for.”
He said the Special Olympics tournaments mean so much to the athletes.
“This is their Super Bowl. This is their World Series.”
Wamsley doesn’t get paid for his work with Special Olympics. Neither do the coaches and volunteers who show up week after week.
“They’re there because they want to be there. They have a heart to be there,” Wamsley said. “And that’s all the athletes want.”
The organization also has one athlete who has been selected to compete at the Special Olympics National Games in Minneapolis this June — one of only four athletes from across the entire state of West Virginia to earn a spot.
As the Polar Plunge approaches, Wamsley offered a straightforward assessment for anyone considering taking the icy leap.
“The only thing to expect is you’re going to get cold,” he said.
Participants can go in solo, in groups or in costume. Participant perks are based on fundraising levels: $50 earns a T-shirt, $200 adds a toboggan, $350 includes a hoodie and $500 gets a gift certificate for dinner along with the full swag package.
The Polar Plunge is just the beginning of a packed schedule for Upshur County Special Olympics. The state tournament and the Special Olympics prom are set for March, while the Summer Games take place the first week of June in Charleston.
To register for the Polar Plunge or to make a donation, visit sowv.org/polar-plunge. Donations can also be made directly to Special Olympics Upshur County by contacting Wamsley.
“A lot of people will do it just because it’s Special Olympics,” Wamsley said. “All of it adds up.”
