(Click on photographs to enlarge)

D.J. Dan Michaels has once again taken a perch atop the Apple Market at 36th and Frederick to raise awareness and money for Special Olympics of Missouri. He’ll be there through Friday morning. Earlier, Dan arranged the “5K Down The Belt Highway.” On Friday it’s the pub crawl, and Saturday the Polar Bear Plunge. The Special Olympics is a charity that’s very special to Dan.

When he learned that two Special Olympics athletes were killed in the Joplin tornado, Dan tells us it hit him hard. He’s been thinking of ways to “take it up a notch” ever since.

Dan says he has been working on the “5K Down the Belt Highway” for several months.

“It took three months with MODOT, getting all through the red tape we got that all put together,” Dan said. “I asked some local celebrities if they’d run, because I’m not going to run it.”

“Because I have to get on a building for 24 hours. Surviving that is enough.”

The celebrities included Travis Dodge of Q Country 92.7, Gregg Lynn of K-Jo 105-5, along with Bridget Blevins and Sarah Hatten from KQ2. They ran from the the Apple Market at the Belt and Pear, to the Apple Market at 36th and Frederick with motorcycle escorts from the St Joseph Police Department. Apple Market is providing the opportunity to donate to Special Olympics at the checkout lines.

Friday night, Dan will take part in his annual “Pub Crawl,” which he says will be his last. He’s not offering specifics, but he says he’s going to “take it up a notch” next year.

Saturday is the Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Contrary. All of the events are geared toward raising money, and awareness, for Special Olympics Missouri.

You can also donate online here.

These photographs are courtesy of Will Corlett of Will C Photography.