Finance and Administration Cabinet
Division of Engineering Plunges in for a Worthwhile Cause

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                  

FRANKFORT, Ky.—It may be cold outside, but that won’t keep a group of state engineers from doing their part in giving back to the community in which they live and work.  Eighteen employees in the Finance and Administration Cabinet’s Division of Engineering and Contract Administration will be taking part in the Special Olympics Polar Bear plunge at Texas Roadhouse in Lexington on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009.

The group, calling itself the “DECA Worker Bees,” is made up of 15 staff employees and three children. So far the group has raised more than $7,000 for Special Olympics. 

“The economy is so depressing we decided to abandon reality and do something a little off-the-wall that would help other folks and lift some spirits at the same time,” said Ray Peden an employee participating in the plunge.  “We want people to know that state employees do give back to the community, even when we are in a financial crisis mode.”
 
Special Olympics’ goal is to raise $500,000 between the five polar bear plunges taking place across the commonwealth throughout the month of February. Last year, the Lexington Polar Bear Plunge raised $65,000 to support the efforts of Special Olympics athletes in Kentucky.

The polar bear plunge in Lexington will begin at 10:00 a.m. with costume judging and then at 10:30 a.m. the groups will begin taking the plunge.

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