1/16/2015 - 11th Annual North Hempstead Polar Plunge Coming March 7th to Benefit Special Olympics


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 16, 2015
MEDIA CONTACTS: Carole Trottere, Ryan Mulholland, Sam Marksheid, and Rebecca Cheng | (516) 869-7794

11th Annual North Hempstead Polar Plunge Coming March 7th to Benefit Special Olympics

North Hempstead, NY – Special Olympics New York, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth, and the Town Board, invite you to join the hundreds of others who will be “Freezin’ for a Reason” on Saturday, March 7, 2015 for the 11th Annual Town of North Hempstead Polar Plunge at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington.

Brave souls with warm hearts will run, jump, and dive into the chilly waters of Hempstead Harbor to raise funds for the athletes of Special Olympics New York. Registration begins at 10am with the Plunge at Noon.

Each winter, Special Olympics Polar Plunges are held throughout the country to attract thousands of thrill seekers to engage in a worthy and exhilarating fundraising event. Last year, more than 6,000 plungers and 15,000 spectators were part of the Plunge Season raising nearly $1 million statewide, with more than 600 taking part in the event at North Hempstead Beach Park. All funds support Special Olympics New York’s programs and promote awareness of people living with intellectual disabilities in New York.

“Whether you plunge or not, this is a great opportunity to come together and support the Special Olympics and all of the remarkable programs that they organize all year long,” Supervisor Bosworth said. “I am thrilled to be hosting this important event at our very own North Hempstead Beach Park for the 11th straight year.”

It’s easy to get involved - simply visit: www.polarplungeNY.org/northhempstead. From there you will be able to form a team, invite your family and friends to join, create your own Personal Plunge Page, and send it out to your contacts – all with a few clicks of the mouse!

This Polar Plunge will help to provide year-round sports training and competition in over 22 Olympic-style sports for more than 65,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities living in New York, giving them continuing opportunities at no cost to them or their families.

For more information, please call 311 or (516) 869-6311, or call Kristina Aquilone at the Special Olympics Long Island at (631) 254-1465 ext. 203. Kristina Aquilone can also be reached at kaquilone@nyso.org.


Update:
Due to the ice in Hempstead Harbor, rather than plunging, participants will instead be taking part in the “Ultimate Polar Spray!” The Port Washington Fire Department will be spraying their fire hose all over participants at 12 Noon. This is all in an effort to promote awareness of people living with intellectual disabilities in New York. All donations will go toward supporting Special Olympics New York’s programs and their athletes.


Supervisor Bosworth with the Polar Plunge mascot.


Brave souls take part in last year’s Polar Plunge.