Chris Wagner, with the Wagner Agency, Farmers Insurance Group, was one of 377 plungers that raised more than $102,000 for Special Olympic children and adults by braving the frigid Lake of the Ozarks waters in the 2016 Polar Plunge. And he plans to do it again on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, making this his ninth year to bravely plunge into the icy waters!
Wagner not only proved that he could swim in a semi-frozen body of water; he went 23 plunges further and has been a “Super Plunger” all nine years that he has taken part in the event. To qualify as a Super Plunger, he has to leap into the Lake once an hour, for 24 hours, all to benefit Special Olympic athletes!
“I am very fortunate to have a job that allows me the opportunity to do this and I feel it is my responsibility to give back,” Wagner said. “Farmers Insurance has always been big on community involvement. I am a competitive person and every year I get to know these athletes better and they give me a ‘reason for freezin.’ They train all year to compete and I think it is cool we can give them the opportunity develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy.”
Of Farmers Insurance, Wagner said, “We are unique because we are licensed in 11 states and that allows us to bundle primary home, auto, lake-home/condo, business, life and specialty boat insurance all in one package, resulting in very deep discounts.”.
Due to the LOTO boating industry, Wagner has worked very hard to offer a uniquely expanded market and affordable insurance for everything water; kayaks, pontoons, wakeboards, cruisers, yachts and even high-performance powerboats.
Regular Polar Plungers raise $75 to participate. Super Plungers have to raise $2,500. Wagner will be at the Kwik Kar Car Wash located at 3730 US-54, Osage Beach, Mo. 65065, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14 to raise funds for the Polar Plunge. Hy-Vee will provide a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees can register for a chance to win a $150 detail from Kwik Car Wash and $100 cash. For every purchase of a $12 or $15 car wash, 50 percent will be donated to Special Olympics. The $12 car wash ticket is good all year and it can be given away as a gift. All are invited to just stop by and make a donation and have lunch.
Super Plungers pause for a photo. At the annual Polar Plunge, a small group of brave individuals opt to hop in the water 24 times over a 24-hour period. Each person raises at least $2,500 for Special Olympics, as part of their participation in the Super Plunge.
The 22nd Anniversary LOTO 2017 Polar Plunge registration and the parade of costumes known as the “Polar Bear Strut” kicks’ off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Lake of the Ozarks Public Beach No. 2, in Osage Beach.
Wagner and 12 other Super Plungers will start their plunge at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, with their last plunge happening along with hundreds of other good hearted plungers, at 2:30 p.m. as they walk, run and even crawl into the frigid winter LOTO waters.
Zany costumes are a part of the annual Polar Plunge tradition. Here, Chris Wagner dons a cow costume for the plunge. Because why not?
Along with being a Super Plunger, Chris Wagner is a super achiever. He was named Top Performer by Farmers Insurance Group.
He was presented with:
- The Championship Award for being in the top two percent of the company nationwide, for the past four years
- The Topper Award for being in the top 10 percent of the company, for the past four years
- The Number One Missouri Commercial Insurance Agency in 2013
- The number One Specialty Agent in Farmers Group for boats, jet skis and motorhomes in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016
Even if you don’t participate in the plunge, it is fun to watch faces turn blue and laugh at the zany costumes! A Post Plunge Party is also scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. at Tan Tar A Resort in Osage Beach.
Each plunger raises funds or pledges to benefit Special Olympics Missouri’s year-round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 15,000 athletes participate in 21 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. By participating in or donating to the Polar Plunge a world of opportunity is opened for athletes, telling them that we believe in their abilities and understand the value that sports play in fostering acceptance and inclusion.
Participants in the Polar Plunge must be at least 10 years old and raise a minimum of $75 by event day. The Polar Plunge is a project of the Law Enforcement Torch Run(R) for Special Olympics Missouri. Various police departments, highway patrols, correctional centers and other law enforcement agencies around the state host the event. Prizes are awarded for top fundraisers.
There is a division for children to participate in the Polar Plunge too. The Pee Wee Plunge is open to children through nine years of age. There is a $25 registration fee and each Pee Wee will receive official t-shirt. If they raise $100, they will receive a Polar Plunge prize as well. The Pee Wee Plunge begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Grand Glaize Beach Boat ramp in Osage Beach. For more information visit http://somo.org/plunge.
