New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The New Bedford Police Union, in partnership with the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Torch Run, will be making a splash March 25 by hosting a Polar Plunge into the cold waters off East Beach for a heart-warming cause.
The Polar Plunge is a winter fundraising challenge in which individuals or teams “plunge” into a cold body of water to raise money for Special Olympics. Each participant collects donations from family, friends and businesses in hopes of raising lots of money for their local Special Olympics communities.
The union has been a long-time supporter of the plunge, traveling in previous years to locations such as Hull and Revere to participate. Seeing the interest and enthusiasm for this event, the 2017 volunteer committee decided to bring the plunge to New Bedford this year.
The plunge will take place at Rodney French Boulevard near the entrance to Fort Taber. Check-in and registration will be held at 9 a.m. The plunge is set for 11 a.m., followed by a post-plunge party from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The 2017 volunteer planning committee is made up of community leaders dedicated to sharing Special Olympics with their city. New Bedford Police Union Members, Sgt. Josh Fernandes, Officer Al Harrell and Josh’s wife, Erika Fernandes, join long-time Special Olympics coaches Alyssa Lynch and Darren and Sarah Fluerent planning this first-time event.
The planning team of volunteers has plunged in the past at a different Special Olympics MA Polar Plunge. They raised nearly $10,000 for their team alone in 2016.
“We are proud to support Special Olympics through this event,” said Josh Fernandes, a member of the Police Union’s Executive Board. “We’ve already seen many individuals and companies offer their support and can’t wait to rally behind a plunge team themselves. We encourage everyone to consider joining this worthy cause.”
Fundraising prizes will be awarded to the top fundraising teams in the following categories: School, Community, Corporate, Youth and Top Law Enforcement team.
Individuals can sign up at Newbedfordplunge.kintera.org
The suggested fundraising minimum is $75 for students and $100 for non-students. Corporate sponsorship packages are also available, offering attractive benefits to donors.
Special Olympics Massachusetts is able to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports to more than 12,000 adults and children with intellectual disabilities across the state because of community partners such as the Law Enforcement Torch Run, an international charity made up of law enforcement officers that raises funds and increases awareness for Special Olympics.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a year-round fundraising and awareness building program, designed to allow members of the law enforcement community the opportunity to support Special Olympics athletes who live, work and compete in their local communities. Visit masstorchrun.org.
For more information about Special Olympics Massachusetts, visit specialolympicsma.org.
