BY: ISABEL MARZULLO, FEATURES ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
Photo of Polar Spray, courtesy of Isabel Marzullo
On Friday, St. Bonaventure University held its eighth annual Polar Spray. This is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. Sports teams such as soccer,lacrosse and ROTC participated.
“[We’re here to] support the Special Olympics and build the community,” said Kayla Hobday, a freshman biology major, and lacrosse player. “It’s an amazing experience to be around each other.”
The Polar Plunge has been an annual event since 2015 and precedes the December Polar Plunge. The event has brought in up to $2,000 according to Dr. Paula Scraba, the event coordinator and an associate professor of physical education. In the event, Individuals can donate $5 or more to get sprayed with a firetruck hose.
“We have an account [Allegheny Beverage & Redemption],” said Scraba. “We collected $110 from the community that donated [their] cans and bottles.”
The sport teams also compete with each other to see who can raise the most money.
“[The sports teams] challenge other teams, women’s basketball raised $824,” said Scraba. “$210 was in cash, and $624 was online donations from family and friends.”
Scraba started organizing the Polar Spray over the summer.
“In the summer, I get the date and contact the Special Olympics,” said Scraba. “[The Special Olympics then] contacted the swim team.”
However, the swim team was unable to attend this year due to a swim meet.
One of the participants in the Special Olympics who attended the Polar Spray for the second year in a row was Mike Potter.
“I wanted to say thank you to everyone coming to the Polar Spray,” said Potter.
This year’s organization was a transition year as Scraba hopes to retire within the next five years.
“Tiffany Demiris in the school of business and sport management will be taking over gradually,” said Scraba.
marzulig22@bonaventure.edu
