ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Samantha Ahern is no Lehigh Valley Polar Plunge stranger.
“I’ve always been very much about giving back,” said Ahern.
It is something she said is close to her.
“I have a cousin who is autistic, who is been an athlete for Special Olympics before. So, I feel like it was a great way to be able to just support the organization and give back to it,” said Ahern.
She is among the hundreds of plungers who will be making the cold dip this Saturday into pools at Coca Cola Park. Usually held on the Delaware — the event was moved this year because the river is iced-over.
Lehigh Valley Polar Plunge moving to Coca-Cola Park due to Delaware River being frozen in Easton area
So far, Ahern has raised more than $24,000 since she started participating.
She is a super plunger, meaning she will be jumping in once an hour.
“It’s a great environment and I would recommend to anyone to do it,” said Ahern.
It is an environment Davine and James Regan have been apart of for more than 10 years.
“It’s great to see. We have the same group supporting us all the time. We have quite the fan club that comes out to watch. Not a lot of people plunge with us, but on average I think we get about 30 plungers in,” said James Regan.
The two oversee team Caitlyn, named after their daughter who is a Special Olympics athlete.
“I also feel like we’re blessed. We have such a wonderful family and wonderful friends and great community that always supports us,” said Davine Regan.
Team Caitlyn has raised more than $100,000 in its ten plus years.
Money from the event allows Special Olympics athletes to play sports for free.
“I feel as though I just want everyone to have fun. I want it to be community-based; I want our friends to enjoy. I want to see the laughter and smile on my daughter’s face,” said Davine Regan.
You can donate and pre-register for the Lehigh Valley Polar Plunge.
A link can be found here.