The White Settlement Police Department hosted Special Olympics Texas on Super Bowl Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. with early morning temperatures near 42 degrees Fahrenheit. The event was hosted at Splash Dayz in White Settlement and raised more than one thousand dollars for local athletes in our community. Even with the cold temps and north wind, several community members and employees took the plunge to support Special Olympics. 

• White Settlement Mayor Faron Young, White Settlement City Council, and City Manager Jeffrey James attended this event to support this endeavor.
• The White Settlement Police Department received an award for the most money raised as a team. 
• Other awards were provided for best costume and most money raised as an individual. 
• Police Chief Christopher Cook’s stepdaughter, Torre, a senior at Brewer High School in White Settlement I.S.D., led the torch lighting ceremony. Torre, diagnosed with Floating-Harbor Syndrome, is a student who receives special education services and is a member of the Brewer High School Jets Special Olympics Team. 
• WEST COMM Dispatcher Adrianne Stewart took the plunge on behalf of the Police Department. Adrianne and her husband James Stewart, who is a Sergeant with the department, also have children who receive special education services in schools. 
• WEST COMM Dispatcher Kelly Dennis’ son, Ian, a student at Trinity Basin Preparatory in White Settlement, also took the plunge and served as a volunteer for this event.
• White Settlement City Manager Jeffrey James took the plunge.
• Community supporters dressed in Star Wars costumes who routinely support Special Olympics also took the plunge.
• The White Settlement Fire Department, Community Services, Parks & Recreation, and Splash Dayz supported this event.

This is the first Polar Plunge since 2019. This event supported recent Special Olympics initiatives hosted in White Settlement, including a fundraiser hosted by the VFW #5617 on February 1, 2025, that raised over a thousand dollars as well. The next Special Olympics event, Valentine’s Friendship Skate, will be hosted on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Silver Wheels Skating Rink in White Settlement. 

“I am extremely proud to serve alongside this amazing team of individuals who dedicate their time and energy in assisting student athletes with Special Olympics Texas,” said Chief of Police Christopher Cook. “I want to thank Jordan Baccus with Special Olympics and recognize the importance of police officers and employees supporting these initiatives that benefit our entire community. We are looking forward to our next event where White Settlement will host the summer law enforcement torch run that opens the summer games across North Texas.” 

WEST COMM Dispatcher Adrianne Stewart serves as the Special Olympics Texas liaison between White Settlement Police Department and SO Texas. 

B-Roll Link Video: https://youtu.be/I0VXc885El4