Timothy Carson

I am back for year 26 of the SONH Penguin Plunge

I thought I might have had enough of the frigid Atlantic waters in the dead of the New England winter; but apparently not!!!!!

Next weekend, on Super Bowl Sunday, I will be jumping back into the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for New Hampshire Special Olympics.   This means I will be asking for your support again.

Back in 2000, when I started, I was raising money for the Winnisquam Middle School Special Olympics Team.  That is where I became hooked on Special Olympics as a coach.   I know that over the past 25 years I have told the story of how my soccer team  facilitated a win for a far less competitive team without even talking to me.  Other athletes on the Winnisquam were an inspiration to me as well.  Kris and Aja were inseparable, they trained together for the wheelchair competitions.  They were in a race against each other and the starting gun startled Kris, when Aja realized that Kris was still at the starting line she stopped and yelled back to him, “Come on Kristopher”.  She waited until he caught up to her then they finished the race together.  

The kids are all the inspiration I need to do this again; but some of the friends I made along the way make it that much more enjoyable.  Back in the Winnisquam days, I was recruited to coach, and then eventually do the very first plunge in 2000 by two very dedicated and persistent ladies (Jenn and Becky).  I consider their nudge to get me involved as a true blessing and I am forever grateful!!!

15 years ago, my buddy, Dick Fortier, started to plunge with me.  He has done 14 of the last 15.  Our families have made a weekend out of the event ever since.  It is a tradition that has stayed alive as others have faded.

John Helfrich and I have been at every Plunge since the beginning.  In the early days of Gazpacho (the live band that played during the pre and post plunge ceremonies), John’s son Charlie used to join the band on stage and belt out a tune or two when he was too young to plunge.  Now Charlie is preparing for his 21^st Plunge.

I only see the Helfrichs once a year, another reason to keep on Plunging.

So the kids and friends are reason enough; but on top of that there is you!!!

You, my family and friends that have supported this cause for 25 years, your support has been a driving force.  Over the past quarter of a century, we have seen good and bad times economically; yet your support never wavered.  It has never been about how much we raise in any particular year.  Other Plungers raise far more than we do, and I am happy for that.  We have been a steady contributor for 25 years.  Many of the original supporters have passed on, only to see others take their place. When I see the names of the people that donate to this page, I, again, feel blessed to know so many amazing people!!!  That alone is a reason to keep on plunging. That being said I would like to thank those original donators that are no longer with us: My parents George & Pat; My Uncle Greg & Aunt Iris;  My Aunt June and Eric, as well as those still with us: My cousin Dennis and his better half Denise, my wife Terri; my sister and sister-in-law Peggy & Joyce, my sons Ian, Rory & John;  Cap’t Jim and his better half Mary, Danny, Maria & Co.; Gail & Ward E.; My brother Greg and his better half Sharon, Alicia & Deidre; Cousin Gary; Richard, Alayne & the boys; Jim & Judy F.; Uncle Ron & Auntie Nancy; Karla, Alex, X-man & LeeAnn; Lou Ann & Bob R.; Michael G.; Adam W.; Jordan T.; cousin Patrice and Co.; Greg & Judy G.; Steve R.; Beth C.; Tana & Mike M; the Savoys; Karen, Tom & J.T.; Heather G; Kelly P.; Bob S. Russ & Danielle Bishop; Scott T.; Jim & Judy F.; Maggie G.; If I missed anyone I apologize and I hope you know that I am thankful to all of you that have supported SONH through this page.