PLUNGE GUIDE: Freezin’ For A Reason

Posted

Every January, thousands bear the frigid Chesapeake Bay for the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge. One question is common among those new to the concept – why? What could possibly motivate someone to jump into icy water in the middle of winter? In Maryland, the answer has remained the same since the event’s inception in 1996. It’s all for the athletes: Special Olympics Maryland athletes, that is. All donations and proceeds from the event benefit the nearly 8,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities who train and compete in 27 sports in four sport seasons year-round across the state. With the support of the Maryland State Police and law enforcement in Maryland as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) initiative, which raises awareness and funds for Special Olympics, the Plunge raises nearly $3 million for Special Olympics Maryland each year.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

In addition to traditional sports training and competition, Special Olympics Maryland provides several unique opportunities for children and adults throughout the state. The Young Athletes program is a sport-and-play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities ages 2 to 7; the Athlete Leadership program gives Special Olympics Maryland athletes the opportunity to stand up and let their voices be heard; Interscholastic Unified Sports provides a means that brings together students with and without disabilities in a fulfilling inclusive experience; Healthy Athletes, made up of seven disciplines, is designed to improve athletes’ health and fitness to enhance their ability to train and compete. The funds raised through the MSP Polar Bear Plunge each year go a long way in supporting these initiatives. The average cost to support one athlete for one sport season is $203. So with a goal of $2.5 million in 2019, the Plunge will support more than 12,300 opportunities for an athlete to participate in a sport season.

In 2020, Special Olympics Maryland will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Since 1970, Special Olympics Maryland athletes have been breaking down barriers on and off the field in the name of dignity, respect and inclusion, and the movement is growing only stronger. Because of the far-reaching support of the annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge, Special Maryland can work toward creating a world where opportunity is not limited by disability.

Polar Bear Plunge Guide

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here