We are pleased to introduce you to "Our Champions," a series revealing the people and stories behind Fredrikson’s support of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Each edition spotlights a team member or group making an impact—showcasing their reasons for serving our community and applauding their efforts in Special Olympics’ Inclusion Revolution.
Meet Leigha Jensen, manager of recruiting at Fredrikson.
Leigha will suit up for her reprising role as Snowflake P. Bear at the Polar Plunge this March in Minneapolis. This year, the event is also a milestone in the lead‑up to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games to be held in Minneapolis this June. The Minneapolis Polar Plunge runs March 6 and 7 in the Twin Cities, and it includes a 5K and special plunge sessions for workplaces, corporate executives and law enforcement.
Leigha’s connection with Special Olympics started early: a close childhood friend pursued special‑education teaching and got involved with the movement in college. Leigha joined in, taking on roles across local fundraisers—from water‑station duty at races to the Polar Plunge mascot she’s now held for three years. “I saw there were volunteer spots for Snowflake P. Bear and thought, ‘I want to be the fun mascot bear!” she said.
She says volunteering at local community events is important; just a few hours can shift someone’s day, and the events are truly possible because of volunteer support. At the Polar Plunge, she looks forward to simple moments—walking through the crowd, high‑fiving kids, dancing with families near the band and watching teams smile for a group photo before they jump into the lake.
For Leigha, volunteering is both easy to step into and genuinely enjoyable: the sign-up process is simple, and the reward is immediate. It puts her right in the middle of a community that shows up, participates and supports one another to “make Minnesota a cooler, more inclusive place.”
Leigha Jensen, 2024 Polar Plunge