The Burrr-tual Polar Pop recently took place at Ehrlich Pest Control on Route 61 in Pottsville. Approximately 50 people joined the event, which raised money for the Schuylkill County Special Olympics.
Participants sat while Special Olympians and others jabbed pins into balloons in order to pop them open and release the water to the delight of the audience. They gave nine volunteers those showers, with some “given” several balloons full of cold water.
The event raised $521 for the Special Olympics, according to Kim George, an operations administrative assistant with Ehrlich.
Chris Ebling, a sales representative with Ehrlich who has children in Special Olympics, said the polar pop replaced the company’s traditional regional Polar Plunge, normally held in Easton, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Check out the gallery below, featuring images by Staff Photographer Jacqueline Dormer, for a closer look at the action.
— PETER BORTNER
Polar Pop
JACQUELINE DORMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Mark Mamrosh of Palo Alto, sports leader for Schuylkill County Special Olympics, reacts as water balloons are popped over his head on March 6, 2021, during the Burrr-tual Polar Pop to benefit the Schuylkill County Special Olympics at Ehrlich Pest Control in Pottsville.
Polar Pop
JACQUELINE DORMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Owen Krisa, Schuylkill Haven, has a water balloon popped over his head by Joshua Stranix, also of Schuylkill Haven.
Polar Pop
JACQUELINE DORMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Ryan Buchanan of Pottsville has a water balloon held by Stacy Schoffstall of Tremont popped over his head. Buchanan works for Ehrlich.
Polar Pop
JACQUELINE DORMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Ryan Buchanan, of Pottsville, left, waits to have a water balloon held by Stacy Schoffstall, of Tremont, popped over his head as Tony Sanders, of Deer Lake, right, reacts as Kailey Jefferson, of Pottsville, pops one over his head during the PA Polar Pop to benefit the Schuylkill County Special Olympics Pennsylvania at Ehrlich Pest Control in Pottsville on March 6, 2021. Both men work for Ehrlich.
Polar Pop
JACQUELINE DORMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chris Ebling, fundraising chair of the Schuylkill County Special Olympics Pennsylvania, center, wipes the water off of Ryan Buchanan, of Pottsville, left, after he had a water balloon popped over his head. Tony Sanders of Deer Lake, right, looks on during the PA Polar Pop on March 6, 2021.
Polar Pop
JACQUELINE DORMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Brian Foulds of Coal Twp. has a water balloon popped over his head by his son, Lake Foulds, while Stacy Schoffstall of Tremont holds the balloon on March 6, 2021, in Pottsville.
Polar Pop
JACQUELINE DORMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Mark Mamrosh of Palo Alto, sports leader for Schuylkill County Special Olympics, reacts as water balloons are popped over his head March 6, 2021, during the Burrr-tual Polar Pop.
Polar Pop
JACQUELINE DORMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Mark Mamrosh of Palo Alto, sports leader for Schuylkill County Special Olympics, reacts as water balloons are popped over his head March 6, 2021, during the Burrr-tual Polar Pop.
Polar Pop
JACQUELINE DORMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Owen Krisa of Schuylkill Haven has a water balloon popped over his head by Joshua Stranix, also of Schuylkill Haven, during the PA Polar Pop at Ehrlich Pest Control in Pottsville on March 6, 2021.
Polar Pop
JACQUELINE DORMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chris Ebling, fundraising chair of the Schuylkill County Special Olympics Pennsylvania, seated left, has a water balloon popped over his head by Ryan Buchanan of Pottsville, standing left, and Tony Sanders, of Deer Lake, standing second from left, as Mark Mamrosh, of Palo Alto, sports leader for Schuylkill County Special Olympics Pennsylvania, waits to have one popped over his head during the PA Polar Pop on March 6, 2021.
