Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page for Special Olympics Virginia’s 2012 Polar Plunge® Winter Festival. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. And you don’t even have to get your feet wet (or cold!).

As some of you may know, my daughter, Dahlia, has Williams Syndrome.  She has participated in Special Olympics for several years, and has had a blast while benefitting in so many ways.  After years of not-so-gentle prodding from Cathy, I've decided to TAKE THE PLUNGE this year.  It won't be pretty, it wont' be fun, but I'm sure it will be a life-changing experience (in more ways than one:).

So, friends, please support Dahlia and the rest of our awesome Area 11 athletes, coaches and families by sponsoring me and Team Shalaby.  My son, Mazzen, has bravely (stupidly?) agreed to plunge with me, perhaps to carry me out of the ocean.  I'm proud to say that my son, Ziyad, and nephew, Tarek, (AKA the Freezing Pharaohs) will Plunge in Radford, VA to support the Highland Area Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Virginia uses sports as a catalyst to change society’s perceptions and treatment of people with intellectual disabilities. By sponsoring me in the Polar Plunge® you are helping Special Olympics Virginia continue its mission to change the lives of more than 10,000 athletes across our Commonwealth. I invite you to join me and experience heartwarming extremes as I seize the freeze and plunge into the icy Atlantic Ocean this February.

This is an incredible cause, and I thank you for your gracious support. Please don’t forget to forward this to your friends and family. I appreciate any support you can provide as together, we help Special Olympics Virginia.

If you are interested in plunging with me, please visit www.polarplunge.com.  But I'd rather you make a donation and stand on shore with a blanket & paramedics!!!!