Teams -- Step-by-Step Information
About How to Get Started!

Be invigorated as never before. Join an anticipated 3,500 thrill-seekers who will be braving the chilly Atlantic Ocean wearing nothing but swimsuits or costumes! It takes only one person to inspire others to get involved. Share the excitement and experience the Plunge with your coworkers, family and friends. Here's how to get started:

Step 1: Recruit at least 9 people to plunge with you.

Step 2: Pre-register your team by clicking here.

Step 3: Distribute plunger information to team member. Each plunger will need a registration form which can be downloaded here, or found inside the brochure. Each person must also sign a waiver. Make sure the registration form for EACH plunger has your team name on it.

Step 4: Set your team fundraising goal. The minimum is $100 per plunger. Just remember, the higher your goal, the more opportunities we can provide to our Special Olympians. You also are competing against other teams in your division for special prizes! Also, if you're registered for the EXTREME TEAM challenge (online giving only), you're in the running for two great prizes. See below for more details.

Step 5: Set up a Web site for your team at www.firstgiving.com/SOVA. Encourage your team members to make their own page under your team page. Teams participating in the EXTREME TEAM challenge can find information about how to sign up here. More information on this challenge also is included at the bottom of this page.

Step 6: Gather your registration materials.

• You will need your registration form(you can download this or complete the form that's in the Plunge brochure).
• Sign your waiver.
• Bring your donation. If you used Firstgiving.com, print off your Web site as a record of your online donation.

Step 7: Drop off your registration form and donations early to avoid long lines. We also will give the first 500 plungers to register a great plunge gift!

During the week of Jan 22-25, register at our NEW Special Olympics Virginia office. We are now located at 184 Business Park Drive, Suite 202 (just about a half mile from the intersection of I-264, Newtown Road and Greenwich Road). We will register plungers from 10am- 4pm.

During the week of January 29 to February 1, we will register plungers at the Ramada Inn at 6th and Atlantic from 2pm - 7pm.

Step 8: If you don’t register early, come to the Ramada Inn (enter from the boardwalk) on the plunge day from 10am to Plunge-time. Just make sure you go to a team line by 1pm so your donation can be credited to your team.

Other Important Information:

Teams are placed in divisions based on size and are awarded for the most money raised and the largest team.

SIGN UP FOR THE EXTREME TEAM CHALLENGE

This year, thanks to the support of Mega Office Furniture, all teams also are invited to participate in the EXTREME TEAM challenge. The team who raises the most money online through the team's Firstgiving.com Web site will be awarded with a $5,000 gift certificate to Mega Office Furniture. The team with the 2nd highest online fundraising total will receive a $1,000 gift certificate to The Supply Room. The deadline for contributions to be considered for the Extreme Team Challenge is 5pm Friday, Feb. 1, 2008. Note that any donations received after 5pm still count toward individual incentives. For instructions about how to sign up, click here.

More helpful information

Team Waiver
Captain Checklist
Choosing a Team Captain