12th Annual Polar Plunge Media Advisory - Story Ideas for the 2004 Plunge

February 3, 2004

• WHAT: 12th Annual Polar Plunge Winter Festival to benefit Special Olympics Virginia, co-sponsored by Virginia Natural Gas.
• WHO: Approximately 3,000 plungers in bathing suits and costumes will plunge into the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for Special Olympics Virginia.
• WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 7. The festival begins at 10 a.m. and bathers will plunge into the Atlantic at 2:30 p.m.
• WHERE: Between Sixth and Eighth streets, at the Virginia Beach oceanfront.
• WHY: Last year's festival raised $275,000 to fund year-round sports training and Olympic-type competition for citizens with mental disabilities in Virginia. More than 13,000 athletes participate in training and compete in 22 different sports.

POLAR PLUNGE STORY IDEAS:
To set up interviews, please contact Nancy Smith, 757-466-5503 or nsmith@aglresources.com.

• Hank Linginfelter, president of VNG, is a plunge veteran. Get Hank's secret tips for surviving the plunge.
• Chris Hall, a VNG employee, is chairing this year's festival. He and his wife Jennifer have a son, Gavin, 6, who participates in Special Olympics. Chris is so dedicated to the cause that he has been orchestrating events from his bed after major back surgery. Chris can give you the scoop on what's new and exciting at this year's festival.
• VNG team member Denise Culpepper raised more money than any other plunger last year and is on her way to beating her record this year. How does she do it? What motivates her to jump into the ocean in February? "It gets colder every year!" she says.
• Preparations for the festival swing into high gear on Friday, the day before the festival begins, as volunteers from VNG help set up banners and booths. VNG also supplies the heating for the large festival tent. These volunteers at work would be a great photo opportunity.
• VNG expects to have about 90 plungers and volunteers (at least 36 will plunge) on the beach Saturday. VNG won for raising the most money and having the largest team in 2003. You won't be able to miss them: They will all be dressed in the bright yellow jumpsuits that VNG crews use in emergencies. Another photo opportunity.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS CONTACT:
Steve Vehorn, 804-346-5544 or svehorn@specialolympicsva.org

For a full schedule of events, please visit www.polarplunge.com.