CRAVE Restaurant In Minneapolis Takes Special Olympics Polar Plunge
CRAVE Restaurant recognizes the importance of being a committed community partner, and we strongly believe in working with our neighbors to help improve the communities we serve. However, giving back to the community is not just a priority for us as a company, but for individual CRAVE employees as well!
Fellow colleague Mike Herman and I, along with eight other friends, created a team and individually raised money for the Special Olympics Polar Plunge on March 3rd. For those of you unaware of the event, the idea is to raise money by pestering friends and family, and in return they get the satisfaction of watching you jump into a lake mid Minnesota winter.
This was my second year plunging, and I was looking forward to breaking out of the typical Saturday morning routine by doing something unique with my friends while benefiting such a great cause.
Our team, raising nearly $2000 for Special Olympics Minnesota, gathered at my place Saturday morning in our thrift store/90’s themed attire and made our way to the plunge site located on Lake Calhoun’s Thomas Beach. The energy was all encompassing as hundreds of participants buzzed around in various themed costumes, secretly terrified of the mind numbing water. Plunge coordinator, Alyssa Siech (who happens to be a great friend of mine), invited our team into the VIP Tent to enjoy a variety food and beverages alongside fellow plungers.
After dropping our spare clothes in the changing tents, we stood in line and collectively watched adults and children of all ages jump into the frigid cold water of Lake Calhoun. After the MC announced our team name, indicating it was our turn to face commitment, adrenaline raced through all of us as we held hands on the podium and plunged into the water in front of hundreds of spectators. The piercing cold was merely a temporary discomfort until we bolted out of the lake and into a giant hot tub where we raved about how exhilarating the experience was.
Our team had a great time spending the day together and is looking forward to continuing the tradition! It was rewarding to be part of something that brought so many people together, and I’m proud of everyone who participated and donated to such a great cause. Although today I was snowed in with the sniffles, it was worth doing something to give back to our community and represent what we aspire to as a company.
CRAVE Cares is how our company gives back: Every month we donate a percentage of proceeds from our Chef’s Seasonal Menu to a different local non-profit organization! Definitely check out what we’re doing here at CRAVE to make a difference!
- Yana
