Farmingville, NY - On November 18, the Town of Brookhaven and the Special Olympics of New York hosted the eighth annual “Polar Plunge: Freezin’ for a Reason” at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai. More than 800 plungers, including Councilwoman Jane Bonner and many Town employees, braved the ice-cold water of the Long Island Sound to collectively raise over $115,000 for the Special Olympics.
Pictured above are Special Olympics NY Director of Development Jennifer Cantone; Daniel Fletcher; Kathryn Saas; Supervisor Ed Romaine; John Cronin; Maria Gruendel; Councilwoman Jane Bonner; Richard Henn; JVC Broadcasting’s Jay Letterman; Brian Schiralli; TJ Timmons Special Olympics NY Regional Director Diane Colonna and Brian Schiralli.
Supervisor Ed Romaine said, “Congratulations to the Special Olympics of New York for another successful Polar Plunge. I commend the volunteers, plungers, Town employees, police, fire and ambulance staff who worked so hard to help make this event a big success.”
Councilwoman Bonner (photo at left) said, “The water was chilly, but the reward of knowing that I was able to make a difference in someone’s life by taking the plunge made it all worthwhile. This was my eighth Polar Plunge and I am always inspired by the Special Olympic athletes and volunteers who make this event a success every year.”
Special Olympics New York, Long Island Region has 4,000 athletes training and competing year-round in 22 Olympics-style sports. The athletes and their families or caregivers are never charged to participate. It costs $400 to support training and competition for one athlete for one sports season. For more information about the Special Olympics New York, go to Special Olympics New York.