LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – When Zachary Kimbell-Auth was 7 years old he witnessed his first Polar Plunge. Now, at age 9, he is the highest fundraising team captain in Lake County.

What is a Polar Plunge? At a very basic level it’s a bunch of crazy, but inspired, people jumping into the lake in midwinter (last year the water was only 10 degrees above freezing – so emphasis on the crazy).

Why would anyone do this? To raise money for the Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics provides year round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

But it is so much more than a sports program. It is training for life, empowering these individuals with self-confidence and self-esteem that carries over into their everyday lives.

What is most amazing is that Special Olympics is free to all, for over 13,000 Special Olympics athletes in Northern California alone; but it costs approximately $500 to support one athlete's participation in Special Olympics for an entire year.  

Last year Zach recruited his first-ever fundraising team, convinced four other crazy people to join him and raised close to $2,000.

This year Zack set a personal goal of $2,000 and a team goal of $5,000 to support 10 athletes.

As of Wednesday, Feb. 22, he was close to his personal goal (he has raised $1,700 so far, but the team is still short about $2,500).

To help young Captain Zach, and make a difference in the lives of our local Special Olympians, Calpine Geothermal has announced that they will match every donation made to the Special Olympics through The Whackadoodle Dragons – that’s the name of the team Captain Zach started – this week.

Zach is leading a community team and believes that the community can work together to hit that $5,000 goal; Calpine Geothermal believes Captain Zach can lead in the charge.

To help make a difference in the life of Special Olympic athletes in Lake County, and to enable a charming 9-year-old captain to make his goal, please visit the Lake County Special Olympic Web site and make a donation through the Whackadoodle Dragons.

Donations can be made at http://lake2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=994085&;lis=1&kntae994085=B20485CBD30F418A8F124AFC7ADF6261&supId=316077864.

Online donations must be made by Friday, Feb. 24. Checks can be brought to the event and delivered to Captain Zachary at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the county park in Kelseyville. Checks should be made to “Lake County Special Olympics.”

All are welcome to come out to the park and join the festivities: at 11:15 a.m. all community members who have supported the Whackadoodle Dragons will be invited to join in on our team photo.

At 11:45 a.m. there will be a parade of all Lake County teams who have committed to “Freezin for Reason!” At 12:15 p.m. all teams will jump into the chilly waters of Clear Lake.

Can a Lake County 9-year-old make a difference? Yes he can.