Radford Valentine’s Day Polar Plunge Raises $76,000 for Special Olympics Virginia

James Coleman arrived from Tappahannock in a white tunic with fire engine red wings and heart-embossed gold trim, drove five hours to Radford’s New River to take the Valentine’s Day Polar Plunge in honor of Special Olympics athlete Joey Wheeler, and after his dip shouted, “Cold! Very cold! Now I really feel like somebody.” The splashy, costumed moment capped an event that Cardinal News reported raised a combined total of $76,000.

Cardinal News reported this year’s Polar Plunge had 376 registrants, a specific tally that aligns with other coverage describing the crowd as “more than 300 people” who braved the New River in Radford on February 14. The reported fundraising goal for Special Olympics Virginia had been $108,000, and organizers left online donations open after the event as they work toward that target.

Costumes and crowd rituals threaded the day. During the costume parade a participant identified only as Adamo shouted “Freedom!” “Braveheart”-style, a moment the Cardinal News account said made “freeze-dom” come to mind. Before plunging, the crowd recited the Special Olympics oath twice: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Cardinal News captured small scenes that illustrated the mix of pageantry and purpose. After his plunge Coleman handed off his wings to a bare-chested, college-aged fellow laughing in the plunge line with friends, and a cherubim smiled surrounded by grandchildren as the chilly sun lit his costume. The Cardinal News reporter described participants dressing for cold conditions, noting parka, winter beanie and insulated boots among onlookers.

Organizers acknowledged the challenges of the season. “Three consecutive weekends of winter storms may have dampered participation,” said Katelynn Howell, senior director of development of Special Olympics Virginia, a cadence echoed in Cardinal News reporting noting the harsh weather ahead of the February 14 event.

The Polar Plunge’s social messaging captured the fundraising spirit that kept people coming despite the cold: “Cold water. Warm hearts. Big impact. When you take the Polar Plunge®, you're doing more than jumping into icy water, you're opening doors,” read a Facebook post circulating around the event. Cardinal News coverage by Abby Steketee, published February 23, 2026, provided the registrant and fundraising figures and the on-the-ground color that underscored how community spectacle and personal stories combined to raise roughly $76,000 for Special Olympics Virginia. Organizers say online donations remain open as they work to close the gap toward the $108,000 goal.