Virginia Natural Gas marks 28 years of Polar Plunge dedication with $35,000 raised for Special Olympics Virginia
Team VNG braves coldest plunge on record to support athletes with disabilities
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – February 2, 2026 – For 28 years, Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) has proudly embraced the chill, suiting up each winter to "Go for the Cold" in support of the Polar Plunge and Special Olympics Virginia. What began as a small group of dedicated employee plungers has evolved into one of VNG's longest running and most impactful community traditions, championing inclusion and year-round support for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
This year, Team VNG made a strong showing with more than 30 employees, family members and friends braving the icy Atlantic Ocean in what proved to be the coldest Polar Plunge on record. Despite the extreme conditions, Team VNG raised over $20,000 in individual donations, with company sponsorship bringing this year's total contribution to $35,741.
"Our employees' enthusiasm and dedication to this cause continue to inspire us year after year, especially in the face of such challenging weather conditions," said Shannon O. Pierce, president and CEO of Virginia Natural Gas. "The Polar Plunge represents everything we value as a company: community support, teamwork and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We're proud to stand alongside Special Olympics Virginia and these incredible athletes."
Beyond financial contributions, VNG volunteers dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to event setup, day-of operations, athlete support and post-event cleanup. VNG volunteers helped build the event footprint, assisted Special Olympics staff with logistics throughout the day and ensured a smooth wrap-up after thousands of plungers cleared the beach, continuing the company's legacy of hands-on service.
Across 28 years of participation, VNG and its employees have contributed more than $500,000 to support Special Olympics programs across Virginia. These contributions help provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for persons with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
This longstanding partnership underscores VNG's commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities where every athlete can shine.
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About Virginia Natural Gas
Virginia Natural Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies under Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Serving more than 310,000 customers in southeast Virginia, the company celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2025.Ranked as a Most Trusted Utility Brand by Escalent, Virginia Natural Gas is committed to resilient and sustainable fuel solutions that meet the growing needs of customers, communities and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
For more information, visit virginianaturalgas.com and connect with the company on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of America’s premier energy companies. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.4 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and more than 600,000 retail customers through its natural gas marketing businesses. The company also invests in interstate pipelines, provides asset management for natural gas wholesale customers, and owns and operates natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.
Media Contact:
Morgan Chase
Office: 757-616-7510 | Cell: 757-725-6916
mchase@southernco.com | https://www.virginianaturalgas.com/news/press-releases.html