Sanford Lab employees contribute to Special Olympics South Dakota fundraiser

In March, Sanford Underground Research Facility (Sanford Lab) welcomed an unusual guest to the team. Percy was a four-foot, bright white, stuffed polar bear with little perception of personal space. Percy the Polar Bear showed up in the break room, hallways and even the office of the executive director. Percy’s unexpected visits were part of an employee-driven campaign to raise money for the Special Olympics South Dakota (SOSD) through the Northern Hills Polar Plunge.

Employees could make a donation to move Percy out of their office and into a coworker’s, or even buy insurance to keep Percy out of their office for good! The funds would support Sanford Lab employee David Leatherman’s participation in the Polar Plunge, an annual event that dares participants to jump into a pool of ice-cold water mid-winter—all in an effort to raise money for SOSD and other local programs.

But shortly after the fundraiser began, concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic caused organizers to cancel the Polar Plunge indefinitely.

“The health and safety of the athletes, as well as volunteers and staff, was our first and foremost concern,” said Jim Smit, director of South Dakota’s Law Enforcement Torch Run, a group that raises funds and awareness for the SOSD through such events as the Polar Plunge. 

Despite the cancellation, the fundraising campaign still raised close to $8,000, according to Smit. This includes the more than $700 raised by Sanford Lab employees.

“The SOSD isn’t hosting any events right now, but these fundraising campaigns enable over 3,600 athletes to compete in the South Dakota Special Olympics each year,” Smit said.

Since the Polar Plunge, which typically draws nearly a hundred jumpers and even more spectators, wasn’t possible during COVID-19, Leatherman decided to take the plunge himself. On a summer camping trip in the Black Hills, Leatherman jumped into Pactola Lake.

“It was cold,” Leatherman said. “Wasn't as cold as always, because I got out into some decent weather instead of the chilly, chilly, chilly weather in March.”

A member of Sanford Lab’s emergency response team, Leatherman has been participating in the Polar Plunge for 11 years. His passion for the special Olympics began when he met his wife’s daughter, Shana, 22 years ago. Shana, who has Downs Syndrome, has participated in the games for years, playing basketball, softball and bowling. She also competes in track and field and swimming during the summer games.

“I just want everyone to know that I very much appreciate what they donated,” Leatherman said.

SOSD provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization believes that through sports training and competition, people with intellectual disabilities benefit physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.

To learn more about SOSD, visit https://www.sosd.org/home.html