By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
To celebrate what would have been her grandfather Mike Currie’s 66th birthday, Charlotte Vollans honoured his memory by jumping into an icy, cold pool.
The seven-year-old Ridgetown girl jumped into the arms of her father, Kent Vollans, during the ninth annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at the Sons of Kent Brewery in Chatham on Jan. 17.
Charlotte, believed to be the youngest participant in the event’s nine years, donned a spotted leopard costume for her jump, as her grandfather was renowned for wearing wild outfits when he plunged.
“She just decided that morning that she wanted to do it,” said Emily Vollans, Charlotte’s mother and Mike Currie’s youngest daughter.
Charlotte received a huge roar of approval from the audience and event organizers.
“That was the highlight of the day,” Chatham-Kent Police Sgt. Jason Herder said of Charlotte’s jump. “Especially being Mike’s birthday, it was like a full circle, with the grandchild jumping in.”
CKPS Cst. Mike Currie spearheaded the local Special Olympics and Law Enforcement Torch Run for over 30 years.
Currie died unexpectedly on Oct. 13, 2022, while on vacation in Turkey.
Herder, co-chair of the Polar Plunge with Acting Sgt. Lisa Rodger spoke of Currie during the opening ceremonies.
“Mike was a trailblazer, a mentor, a coach and a true champion of inclusiveness,” Herder said. “His passion inspired so many of us, and his legacy lives on in every torch that’s carried, every plunge that’s taken and every athlete that’s supported.”
Herder said that since Currie’s death, the local Special Olympics committee has raised over $664,500 through events such as the Polar Plunge, Torch Run, Rides and golf tournaments.
The funds helped Chatham-Kent host the 2024 Special Olympics School Games in Ridgetown and Chatham, and supported over 23,000 athletes across Ontario.
“That number isn’t just fundraising, it’s proof of what love, dedication and community can achieve,” Herder said. “It directly funds life-transforming programs, ensuring our athletes get the training, competition and health support and inclusive opportunities they deserve, turning barriers into breakthroughs and isolation into belonging.”
“Mike would be beaming today, probably wearing some signature goofy pants, proud of this event, proud of how we’ve kept the flame burning bright,” stated Herder.
Kent Vollans wore a pair of gaudy green golf pants for his jump, in honour of his father-in-law.
Vollans raised over $1,350, including a special challenge to stay in the frigid pool for one extra second for every $100 donated by his friends, family, and co-workers.
Vollans not only remained in the water to the count of 20, but he also waded to the diving board to catch his daughter.
Last year, Vollans made four separate jumps after pledging to make one extra plunge for every $500 raised, as he collected over $1,800.
Now that Charlotte has joined Dad in the water, that leaves mother Emily and daughter Savannah, 11, to take the plunge.
Last year, Kent said if he ran the 5K in the Special Olympics’ Mike Currie Torch Run in Blenheim in September, the rest of the family would join him in the Polar Plunge.
He didn’t run, so Emily didn’t jump – and it likely won’t change for 2027.
“He can do this, I’ll stick to running,” Emily said, laughing.
A total of $50,016 was raised at this year’s Polar Plunge, down from last year’s $63,000, but an amount that was very appreciated by organizers and local and provincial Special Olympics officials.
“This year’s Polar Plunge truly reflects the strength of our community,” Rodger said. “It truly was a special event for Mike’s birthday, with his granddaughter taking her first plunge.We raised $50,000 for Special Olympics this year, so thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and volunteered for our event.”
Chatham-Kent residents have now raised over $423,500 for Special Olympics Ontario in the nine Polar Plunges.
Saturday was the fourth Polar Plunge held at the Sons Of Kent, as its spacious backyard venue creates an amazing atmosphere with campfires, warming stations, and saunas for participants, and food and beverage booths for the audience.
The first five plunges were held at St. Clair College Thames Campus before moving to Sons of Kent after the pandemic.
