1:15 p.m., Feb. 3, 2003--A pack of 2,170 “polar bears” took a chilly dip in the Atlantic Ocean Sunday, Feb. 2, in the 12th annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics at Rehoboth Beach, Del. The participants braved 34-degree water and 40-degree air for Special Olympics Delaware—with an initial tally of $350,000 raised.
The event is the largest single fundraiser for Special Olympics Delaware. Each participant contributes a minimum of $50 in pledges and donations.
Proceeds benefit the organization’s year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with mental retardation and/or other cognitive delays. Special Olympics athletes participate free of charge. The organization currently serves over 1,900 athletes with the goal of reaching over 3,000 athletes by the year 2005.
Members of the University community, including past participants, who planned to take part in this year’s annual romp in the frigid waters of the Atlantic, were Jim Grimes, senior assistant director, public safety; Alan Waterfield, professor, Steve Goodwin, associate professor, both in health and exercise sciences; Mike Hirschman, assistant sports information associate; first-time entrant Scott Selheimer, sports information associate; and Doris Hicks, advisor service agent/specialist III in marine studies. Student volunteers, including members of UD’s emergency care unit, were Michele Carrafiello, Erin Denny, Abby Endinger, Heather Lampert, Stephan Koczirka and Alison Nolt.
The Polar Bear Plunge, which began in 1992 with 78 participants, has grown rapidly in popularity. Last year 1,860 participants raised $350,000.
The Lewes Polar Bear Plunge was sponsored by Happy Harry’s, Procter & Gamble and Comcast. Additional supporters included the Lewes Polar Bear Club, The Cape Gazette, WJBR-FM, WGMD-FM and the Bay Center at Ruddertowne.
For more information about Special Olympics Delaware, visit [www.sode.org], call 831-4653 (upstate) or 855-0546 (downstate) or e-mail sode@sode.org.
|
