By ANGEL KANE

What possesses anyone to go running head-long into freezing cold water in January? We are not sure, but on Saturday January 15th, Wilson Living plans to find out!

The 2011 Polar Bear Plunge benefiting the Wilson County Special Olympics is this weekend and we hope everyone makes plans to attend and donate to this worthy cause.

The event, held at the Jimmy Floyd Family Center on January 15th, is the 12th annual plunge. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the plunge will start at 9 a.m.. Participants pay a small registration fee of $10 and are also asked to seek sponsors and donations with all the proceeds benefiting Wilson County Special Olympics.

The Plunge was initiated in 2000 with the newly opened Jimmy Floyd Center. Today the event is coordinated by Tim Hill - Lebanon’s JFFC & Leisure Services Director and Cindy Baker, Aquatics Director at the Center, along with lifeguards and volunteers.

This year there are already 70 participants registered to compete and more are expected. Following the Plunge, a Special Olympics regional swim meet will be held in the Center’s warm indoor pool. Plunge participants are warmed with hot beverages and snacks and local restaurants will provide lunch for the Special Olympians in the afternoon.

Since it’s inception, the Plunge has raised more than $40,000.00 for Special Olympics. Even those who can’t bear to take the Plunge, can support the event with a donation by visiting their online site www.specialolympicstn.org/polar-plunge.php. For more information you can also call Cindy Baker at 615-453-4545.

We hope to see you all there for this fun-filled day. And for more Wilson County Events, make sure to check out the Wilson Living On-Line Calendar at www.wilsonlivingmagazine.com.

Until next time, keep reading.