Kreps staff taking polar plunge to benefit N.J. Special Olympics
By Amy Batista, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — Saturday is going to be quite cold for New Jerseyans daring to take a dip into the Atlantic Ocean for charity.
Melvin H. Kreps faculty and administrators will partake in the annual Seaside Heights Plunge, which is part of the New Jersey Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics, on Feb. 25.
Around 5,000 plungers are expected to participate this year in the Seaside Heights Plunge, according to Special Olympics New Jersey.
The site of the plunge will take place in front of the Aztec Ocean Resort, 901 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights. Nearby, organizations will feature a countdown to the plunge start time of 1 p.m. Registration begins at 9 a.m.
The Polar Bear Plunge has grown to become the largest single day fundraising effort for Special Olympics New Jersey, according to the SONJ.
Some people will be plunging for the first time, while others have done it before.
"The Special Olympics has very special place in my heart,” said Hector Bravo, eighth grade band director and one of the plungers. “My twin brother, Hawkins, was born with Down Syndrome. Throughout his life I saw the joy and pride he experienced from his participation in the Special Olympics.”
Mr. Hector continued, “When the team was short one plunger, I decided if nine of my fellow staff members could get wet, so could I.”
Said eighth grade mathematics teacher Robert Cook, “My goal is to go entirely underwater and then try not to freeze to death. Obviously, it is a great cause and what better reason to do something insane than for charity.”
For Kreps staff, participation in tomorrow’s plunge is part of the middle school’s Casual for a Cause monthly community service program. It began approximately three years ago.
Some examples of past service projects include the March of Dimes, Susan G. Komen, and the Fisher House, which serves wounded soldiers.
Eighth grade teacher Matt Bernstein is the captain of Kreps’ Polar Bear Plunge team. He practiced swimming in icy water on Feb. 18.
"It was brutal,” Mr. Bernstein said, who participated in the plunge 12 years ago.
"It was freezing,” he recalled.
Kreps staff has raised more than $2,059 for the plunge this year through the fundraising efforts of its plungers.
"I hope to get 50 staff members out to support the cause,” added Mr. Bernstein.
Six officers and one dispatcher from the Hightstown Police Department are also scheduled to participate in Saturday’s oceanic plunge.
"Over the course of the last five years, we have raised $23,000 for the Special Olympics, which has gone to help with funding events, fundraisers and other activities,” said Janine Krupa, a borough patrolwoman who also serves as the president the Hightstown PBA Local No. 283.

