2026 Penguin Plunge Raises Over $585,000 for Special Olympics Vermont

The 31st Annual Penguin Plunge, presented by Community Bank, was held on Saturday, March 14th at the Burlington Waterfront. Over 1,100 people fundraised and plunged into the frigid waters of Lake Champlain to show their support for Special Olympics athletes in Vermont. The Penguin Plunge is the largest fundraising event for Special Olympics Vermont, and this year, over $585,000 was raised to support sports training and competition opportunities across local and school programs, free health screenings, and leadership opportunities for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Vermont.

“This year’s Penguin Plunge was an incredible show of commitment and heart from our entire community,” said Sarah McCaffrey, President & CEO of Special Olympics Vermont. “Even after the weather forced us to postpone, our participants, sponsors, and supporters showed up ready to go, which speaks volumes about their dedication to our athletes. We are deeply grateful to everyone who adjusted their plans and remained committed. It is a powerful reminder of what the community will do to support inclusion and opportunity for our athletes.” 

The Cool Schools Penguin Plunge took place at 11am, with an impressive showing of over 600 plungers, together raising more than $150,000, the most since 2020! Leading the way for Cool Schools was the team from Browns River Middle School with 76 plungers raising $20,941. The Burlington Penguin Plunge started at noon, with the Chittenden Chatterers taking the top fundraising team spot for the second year in a row.  The 13-member team, made up of Special Olympics athletes, coaches and family members, raised over $29,000.

All funds raised through the Penguin Plunge support Special Olympics Vermont’s statewide programs that exist to foster inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by using the power of sport to showcase their gifts and abilities. 

The Penguin Plunge would not have been possible without the support of our many partners: presenting partner Community Bank; platinum partners Hotel Champlain, 42TD and Johnson Woolen Mills; gold partners GlobalFoundries, Northfield Savings Bank and Tech Group; silver partners Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Vermont Federal Credit Union and the Office of the Vermont State Treasurer; and bronze partners Bazin Brothers Trucking, Cabot Creamery Co-operative, Dunkin’, Foam Brewers, National Life Group, NBT Bank, Pete’s RV Center, VermontBiz and Vermont Tent Company. We are also grateful for our incredible media partners: WCAX, 95 Triple X, 101.3 The Wolf, WVMT, STAR 92.9, Supersounds Entertainment, and Media Factory who produced a fun livestream for everyone to watch at home. Finally, Special Olympics Vermont is appreciative of the support from NDUR for Athletes, Burlington Parks & Recreation, Bourne’s Energy, Myers Container Services, Burlington Telecom, Burlington Fire Department, Sunbelt Rentals, U.S. Coast Guard Station Burlington, Vermont Teddy Bear, G.W. Savage, Folino’s Pizza, Church Street Marketplace, Local Motion, Norwich Cadets, Best Buy, countless volunteers who make this event possible every year through providing time, energy, in-kind donations, and more.

For more information, please visit penguinplunge.org.

Click here to view photos from the 2026 Penguin Plunge