By Lauren Zazzara
Features Editor
St. Bonaventure received a taste of the Arctic on Friday with the Polar Spray, an event designed to raise money for Special Olympics New York.
At the Polar Spray, Allegany Volunteer Fire Company sprayed registered participants with a fire hose at the outdoor basketball courts between the Reilly Center and The Sandra A. and William L. Richter Center.
“It’s a preview or pre-event to the [Buffalo] Polar Plunge in December, so it’s putting it on people’s radar screens. If we had it in spring, it would be anti-climactic,” said Dr. Paula Scraba, O.S.F., an associate professor of physical education and organizer for the event.
Scraba said because the event was on campus during the fall, students didn’t have to worry about transportation and weather to participate.
In the Polar Plunge, participants jump into a body of water during the winter to raise money for Special Olympics, as participants take donations.
The approximately 50 participants of the Polar Spray such as Bonnies, the women’s softball team, Bonaventure students’ families who came for Family Weekend and student-athletes from the Olean City and Allegany-Limestone Central school districts, according to Scraba.
Polar Spray participants raised over $1,000 collectively to go with the Bonaventure group participating in the Buffalo Polar Plunge.
Maria DiSpigno, a sophomore Spanish major, raised the most money, collecting $325 with her family’s help.
“I had hoped we could get more members of the Bonaventure student body involved in the event, but despite the small turnout, it was a great event,” DiSpigno said. “Regardless of how much we raised, or how many people attended the event, it was a success in terms of giving back to the community.”
Erica Raepple, the director of development for Special Olympics New York, said the proceeds raised by the Polar Spray are enough to sponsor two Special Olympics New York athletes for a year.
Both Raepple and Scraba said they anticipate the Polar Spray becoming an annual event. Scraba said that it will continue to be the kickoff to Family Weekend.
“We are very lucky to have such a strong relationship with St. Bonaventure,” Raepple said. “Special Olympics looks forward to continuing events such as the Polar Spray. We can’t thank the administration, professors, coaches and students enough for everything they do for our athletes.”
DiSpigno said she appreciates the work that Special Olympics does to make events like the Polar Spray happen.
“It’s about the great work that Special Olympics has done to help people with disabilities go beyond what most of us would qualify as a disability,” DiSpigno said. “I’m glad that we were able to work with this organization to help others. It truly brings out our school’s Franciscan values.”
zazzarlm13@bonaventure.edu
