Prospects from the Prospector Theater, with their fearless leader, Valerie Jensen, recently took the Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics!
Here, Valerie shares poetic, heartwarming words about the experience writing, "To pay respect to the athletes young and old, my team and I braved the 33 degrees cold. This activity takes us out of our comfort zone to help the many who call that place home."
Learn more about the Penguin Plunge and support Special Olympics in Connecticut HERE.
Jensen says, "This is a picture of us: Valerie, Chiz, Nate, Jenn, Rachel, Gabe, Dan, all big Special Olympics fans!"
Read the poem below:
At my coldest
Special Olympics warms my heart
“Let me win, but if I cannot win
Let me be brave in the attempt”
Their motto, I borrow for life
The pandemic was scary
Lonely, isolating, depressing
There was a night
In the heart of the darkness
I didn’t know what to do
I never felt so low, so alone
Prospector Theater was closed
My family was far
There was nowhere to go
Even though I had gas in my car
I rose from my couch
And dried my eyes
Went to my keyboard
Received a surprise
An invite,
“Special Olympics Dance Party on Zoom”
I was over the moon
A few clickety clacks on the mouse
And soon I was rocking the house
A hundred people danced in their rooms
Busting moves with rocking tunes
I rolled my desk chair away
There would be no more sadness today
I made myself a dance floor
Sad and lonely no more
We danced together, in our Zoom boxes
Happy, laughing, safe, and free
Two Prospects danced with me from their homes
Dancing queens: Regina, Jenny, and me
No place I’d rather be
Special Olympics, thanks for the fun night
It was what I needed, it was just right
Special Olympics had always won my heart
At the races, cheering for athletes at the start
Here I am at the finish line
High fiving finishers
Congratulating on their time
For their wins, I was happier than if they were mine
Special Olympics medals sparkle bright
At the Prospector Theater reflecting the light
In the “Teach To Fish Mosaic” on the second floor
88 medals donated by Prospects who had won before
Special Olympics gave me a great honor
A place in the Hall of Fame
And on a very cold day in March 2021
I took off my coat and my warm clothes
I jumped in the pond which recently unfroze
In the cold water we went all the way under
Penguin Plunge donation - Special Olympics’ largest fundraiser
To pay respect to the athletes young and old,
My team and I braved the 33 degree cold
This activity takes us out of our comfort zone
To help the many who call that place home
The money we raise go to the programs
Gym time, sports equipment, uniforms,
Virtual Dance parties, shelters from the storms
This year, Special Olympics has turned to Zoom
Dance Parties, cooking lessons, and art
Special Olympians stayed active through the dark
Keeping athletes connected, in body, spirit and heart
This is a picture of us:
Valerie, Chiz, Nate, Jenn, Rachel, Gabe, Dan
All big Special Olympics fans
Ian had the camera, we only had one take
We did not want to go back in the lake
The stakes were high, the water was freezing
We were warmed by Special Olympics, our reason
“One for the money,
Two for the show,
Three to get ready,
This is for SO!”
There were splashes, laughter, and screams
The money raised would help our friends’ teams
Penguin Plunge 2021 on Gemstone Farm
Cold, freezing cold - the good kind
When we are supporting our athletes
Bodies, health, hearts, and minds
As the Special Olympics dance party had helped mine
Visit our Special Olympics artwork at the Theater
And please remind me to buy a portable heater
Next year my team and I will plunge once more
Frozen, yet warmed to the core
Next year we will become penguins again
Maybe you will join us, brave friend!
Sparkle on, Prospector Theater
Sparkle on, Gemstone Farm
Sparkle on, Special Olympics!
The Prospector Theater is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to providing meaningful employment opportunities for adults with disabilities through the operation of a premium, four screen, first-run movie theater. Employees of the Prospector, referred to as Prospects, are encouraged to sparkle, shine, and transform their passions into professions.
The Prospector Theater is located at 25 Prospect Street and will soon open unveil a theater in Wilton! Visit the Theater online here and learn more about their important mission.