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Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

When I woke up Saturday and saw the snow falling outside, I wasn’t sure whether to smile or wince.

All week I had monitored the projected snow, and it didn’t look like we were going to get much, but I still didn’t want it to throw a wrench into our plans for the Plunge for the Park.

We live in Minnesota and we’re used to driving in a little snow, but I know that many will avoid driving in it if they can.

Seeing that it was supposed to ease up as the morning went on, and that we were only expected to receive two or three inches at most, we continued forward with our plans, hoping that the little bit of snow would help make the event a little more festive and feel more like winter.

The roads were pretty snow-covered on my way to the Edgewater Bay Pavilion, but when I got there, most of our playground team was already there, hard at work to get things set up.

We had everything pretty much ready when the plungers started to arrive.

Like last year, we didn’t really know what to expect from the event, but it turned out to be a big success with not only lots of participants but lots of spectators, too. No, I did not jump, but I enjoyed watching the brave people who did!

The temperature actually was pretty tolerable, and there was only a light snow — if any — during the actual plunge.

After the plunge, we headed back into the pavilion for the chili cookoff, and seven people shared their chilis for a chance to win prizes.

Being a part of raising money for this inclusive playground has been a great way to see this community in action. It’s been touching to see all the support we have received and witness all of the good that can be done when people come together around a common cause.

We are nearing the end of our fundraising period for the playground, but still have $30,000 to go! If you know of any grant opportunities, businesses or individuals who might be interested in contributing to this inclusive playground, we would love to share more about the project and our hopes for the next phase as well.

Work on the park will wrap up in early spring, and I can’t wait to see the children — young and old — visit and find joy in what the community has given to them.

“I wish for a world that views disability, mental or physical, not as a hindrance but as unique attributes that can be seen as powerful assets if given the right opportunities” — Oliver Sacks

“There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more.” — Robert M. Hensel

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Wednesday.