Special Olympics Pennsylvania has a history of Polar Plunge fundraisers involving leaps into freezing water to benefit the children and adults the organization serves.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenge has been slightly modified. It s now a Burrr-tual Polar Pop challenge, that asks participants to pop water balloons filled with cold water over their heads.
Every pop will support sports training and competition for Special Olympics athletes, enabling them to achieve their goals, live healthier lives, and experience respect and inclusion, the the convenience store companies executives said. As a longstanding partner of Special Olympics PA, we are honored to continue our support of local athletes at a time when it s needed most, said Chris Gheysens, president and CEO of Wawa. We invite our customers to have some fun supporting an organization that is making a significant impact in our community.
Wawa and Sheetz are taking the Polar Pop Challenge to support the Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
Instead of the annual tradition of jumping into frigid water, this year the Special Olympics is asking participants to pop a cold-water balloon over their heads.
Sheetz CEO Joe Sheetz and Wawa CEO Chris Gheysens took the Polar Pop together, along with store associates, in a social media video. Then they challenged their customers. We invite our customers to have some fun supporting an organization that is making a significant impact in our community, Gheysens said.
Every pop will support continued sports training and competition for Special Olympics athletes.
Wawa and Sheetz team up to take the ‘plunge’ together Stephanie Farr, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Wawa fans stand ready at a moment’s notice to arm themselves with hoagie rolls and defend their beloved convenience store chain against attacks from marauding Sheetz fans, but on Wednesday the leaders of both chains announced that they’re working in partnership towards a common goal.
Is nothing sacred anymore?
“Wawa & Sheetz Take the ‘Plunge’ Together!” the Sizzli email subject line said, leaving the reader to wonder if the chains behind one of the most bizarre rivalries in the state were eloping, merging, or announcing their entry into politics.
Wawa, Sheetz Put Pa. Convenience Store Rivalry Aside for Icy Cause Dan Stamm
What to Know
In a rare show of unity, the leaders of Wawa and Sheetz came together for a charitable cause.
Sheetz CEO Joe Sheetz and Wawa president and CEO Chris Gheysens popped balloons of cold water over their heads as part of the Special Olympics Pennsylvania s virtual polar pop.
Each Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain
The Pennsylvania convenience stores war is taking a break for a noble cause as Wawa and Sheetz put down their hoagies and sandwiches to get soaked Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
For years, Sheetz and Wawa have drawn lines with locations sometimes within shouting distance of each other as aficionados in Pennsylvania, especially, are left to answer which multistate chain is supreme. But, the icy relationship is taking a brief break.