abb2911aa0add7d8917951e7ecc05fe8.jpg

NEW JERSEY: Thousands partake in polar plunge for Special Olympics

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   SEASIDE HEIGHTS — People flocked to the beach for a good cause last Saturday, wearing all kinds of outfits ranging from Waldo, Viking and Smurf attire — as well as a few polar bear costumes.
   A sign held up read simply: “We are freezing for a reason.”
   It was the 19th annual Seaside Heights Polar Bear Plunge, which benefited the Special Olympics New Jersey.
   The event raised $1.4 million, according to the Special Olympics New Jersey. Around 6,000 plungers participated this year, nearly an 1,000 person increase from 2011.
   At the event, the temperature was forecasted with a high of 47 degrees — and there was also snow and high winds.
   Yet nothing stopped the plungers from diving into the frigid Atlantic Ocean waters, which was 44 degrees at 1 p.m. on Feb. 25.
   The event drew an estimated crowd of 15,000 people with many spectators watching from the beach and boardwalk as the plungers took to the frigid waters.
   Each plunge participant was required to raise a minimum of $100 to be able to participate. Most plungers, however, were part of larger teams that raised thousands of dollars.
   In addition, SONJ received large donations from several corporate sponsors.
   The Polar Bear Plunge has grown to become the largest single day of fundraising for the Special Olympics New Jersey, according to the organization.
   Participants traveled from all around the country to partake the event. This year, more than 20 states were represented with some participants coming from as far as California, Texas, Maine and Florida.
   The site of the plunge took place in front of the Aztec Ocean Resort, 901 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights.
   For some people it was their first time partaking in the Polar Plunge, while others have been diving in for years.
   The youngest plunger to take to the water was 5-year-old Emma Sheldon, of Wayne, New Jersey, who participated for first time.
   Meanwhile, Ralph Behan, of Toms River, at 90 years old, was taking his eighth plunge.
   "The Polar Bear Plunge is a great event to participate in,” said Dave Chenoweth, of Middletown, and captain of Hightstown Local No. 283 team, which consisted of more than a dozen people from four different agencies including the Hightstown, Monroe and Middletown Police Departments and the New Jersey State Police.
   "The day is a blast and is spent with friends and coworkers who all participate for the same reason — to help support the New Jersey Special Olympics. So, it is all worth it regardless of the conditions. This year, before we jumped into the ocean it was snowing,” Mr. Chenoweth said.
   Mr. Chenoweth has been plunging for 15 years now. His team collectively raised $3,500 this year and raised more than $23,000 over the past five years.
   "I was first inspired to participate in the Polar Bear Plunge by a buddy of mine who works for the New Jersey State Police,” he said. “Since the first year I participated in the event, he has done it as well.”
   Participants have recommended that others considering taking the plunge.
   "I would recommend anyone and everyone to come out,” said Michael Bollentin, of Hightstown, who participated with the West Windsor Police PBA Local No. 271 team. “Every year the number of people plunging grows and the money raised for the Special Olympics gets higher and higher. Just come and have a good time with it.”
   This was Mr. Bollentin’s fourth year plunging. While he did not have any special costume and just wore a regular pair of swim trunks, he did learn a lesson on Saturday.
   "I have to remember to wear something on my feet next year because standing on the sand waiting to run in, feels like you’re standing on ice,” said Mr. Bollentin.
   Many first time plungers did not know what to expect, but they survived to share a unique and unforgettable lifetime experience with others.
   "It was something else and I wasn’t sure of what to expect,” said Brett Kaplan, of Plainsboro, with team Killarney’s Publick House from Hamilton. “It was a blast. I had a lot of fun but it sure was cold.”
   "It was insane but it was a lot of fun too,” said Ashley Daigle, of Lawrenceville, and a language arts and science teacher at the Melvin H. Kreps Middle School in East Windsor. She was part of the team known as Holy Kreps! It’s Cold!
   "It was an out of body experience,” Ms. Daigle said.
   Meanwhile, spectator Tyler Hobbs, of Lawrenceville, shared his perspective of the experience.
   "It was fun. There were a lot of people. I wish I was taller so I could actually see everything,” Mr. Hobbs said with a chuckle. “Nice costumes, though. That was my favorite part.”
   Matt Bernstein served as the team captain of the Holy Kreps! It’s Cold! group, which consisted of 11 middle school staff members.
   They raised $2,500 for this one particular event. However, it was part of their monthly Casual for a Cause day, in which the Kreps staff members choose one day a month to donate to charity. As part of the day, those teachers can dress in casual clothes. Over the past three years, Casual for a Cause has raised approximately $13,000.
   "This morning I got about 50 emails from staff about how happy they are to be a part of this building,” Mr. Bernstein said on Monday.
   ”This was my first plunge and, I never thought I’d say this, but I am very, very glad that I participated. And, I have to give all the credit in the world to Matt Bernstein who put our team together and somehow sold the idea,” said Hector Bravo, of Hamilton, who is the eighth grade band director at the Melvin H. Kreps Middle School.
   "Despite the cold, wind and snow, his spirit and enthusiasm and the spirit of all the participants and spectators were unbelievable and infectious,” Mr. Hector said. “While this event was never on my ‘bucket list’ — it should have been.”