The Challenge

By Thomas Tibai

On Feb. 20, 2010, three brave men of Grand Rapids took the challenge and plunged into the icy waters for athletes of Special Olympics Michigan.

Nervous and excited at the same time, first time plungers, Bob Oosterhert, Ken Bailey, and Avin Fyan were approached to represent their companies, Lacks Enterprises Inc. and ADAC Automotive Inc., in a friendly competition to see which company could raise the most money. With little hesitation, the men all agreed to represent their companies and jump into the freezing water as sponsored plungers.

Oosterhert, dressed as everyone's favorite sponge under the sea, Sponge Bob, and Bailey, dressed in his version of a feminine woman, have been friends and coworkers for over 24 years.  

Representing Lacks, Oosterhert and Bailey helped raise over $3,100 by asking friends, family, and other coworkers to make pledges. Oosterhert said, "Special Olympics Michigan is such a great cause that when people heard what we were doing, it was very easy to get donations."

Fyan, representative and employee of ADAC, had an easy time getting donations, but fell short toward the end.

Dressed and painted in blue who considered himself to be "ADAC's safety man," Fyan helped raised over $1,400. Although a respectable amount, Fyan hoped his company would have done better and joked Lacks had more coworkers to get donations from.

He said, "They have twice as many as employees as we do, so it was a little harder, but it's all for fun and bragging rights." He said, "They can have it this year, but we'll get them next year."

The employees of Lacks and ADAC had great time raising money to support Special Olympics Michigan.

The men said they would love to plunge again someday. Bailey said, "It's something I hope we can do every year." He said, "It was a lot of fun and I would do it all over again. It's such a great cause."

Posted: 2010-02-24