Participants from St. Jude take the plunge.
Mark Moran | For Times Leader
Participants from St. Jude take the plunge.
Mark Moran | For Times Leader
Participants emerge from the pool after taking the plunge.
Mark Moran | For Times Leader
Participants from St. Jude take the plunge.
Mark Moran | For Times Leader
Participants from St. Jude take the plunge.
Mark Moran | For Times Leader
Participants from St. Jude take the plunge.
Mark Moran | For Times Leader
Melanie Magarosky of Drums gets high fives after taking the plunge.
Mark Moran | For Times Leader
Mr. and Mrs. America, Paul Shaffer and Kim Drozda, take the plunge.
Mark Moran | For Times Leader
A fisheye view of the plunge.
Mark Moran | For Times Leader
Dozens of participants in costumes and matching shirts plunged into icy water Saturday at the Northeast Pennsylvania Polar Plunge at Montage Mountain to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
Among them was Paul Shaffer, of Diamond Manufacturing Company, who plunged in Mr. America attire, with a patriotic hat, tank top, and shorts. He said the water was cold, but it was worth supporting the cause.
“People should really donate for the Special Olympics,” Shaffer said.
The Polar Plunge is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Special Olympics Pennsylvania. It supports athletes like event co-emcee Daniel Morales, helping them train and compete.
“If it weren’t for what these people have raised, we wouldn’t be able to do what we’re able to do,” said Morales, who will compete in basketball and track and field this spring. “We wouldn’t be able to compete, we wouldn’t be able to train, and we certainly wouldn’t be able to go to the U.S.A. games down in Minnesota in June.”
In addition to year-round sports training and competition for children and adults, Special Olympics Pennsylvania offers health programming and leadership opportunities, said Heather Schreiner, regional executive director for Special Olympics Pennsylvania and co-emcee of the event.
“Everything is always free to our athletes, their families, and volunteers,” Schreiner said, noting Special Olympics Pennsylvania relies on fundraisers and sponsors to provide free services.
This year, $107,627 was raised through the plunge. St. Jude Council #6440 Knights of Columbus was the top team with $5,051 raised, and Nicholas Giambra was the top individual with $1,150 raised.
Schreiner said a large portion of the total amount raised came from the Northeast Cool Schools Polar Plunge, which was held on Thursday. Sixteen schools participated, and roughly 700 people plunged that day. Abington Heights School District was the top team, raising more than $14,000.
Vendors, including Wawa, Sheetz, Texas Roadhouse, and Jersey Mike’s, also contributed to the event, providing funds or food or offering activities in Plunge Town prior to the main event.
“It is so much fun,” said Morales, who noted donations to Special Olympics Pennsylvania can still be made online. “Readers, if you want to donate, please, please, please, please do. You’ll make our lives a lot easier.”