ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Law enforcement personnel across Maryland dipped into 40-degree waters Friday afternoon to raise money for the the 23rd Annual Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan was in attendance, greeting first responders and lighting a ceremonial Flame of Hope.
The Prince George’s Police Department was the top fundraising group among first responders, raising over $19,000.
Neshawn Jubilee, private first class for the Ocean City Police Department, participated in his first plunge after hearing about the Special Olympics from his friends.
“It was cold, but not as cold as what I thought it was going to be,” said Jubilee, a Salisbury, Maryland, native. “But it was an awesome feeling to be able to give back to Special Olympics athletes and the community.”
The three-day event, which concluded on Saturday hopes to raise $2.5 million for more than 7,000 Special Olympics Maryland athletes. The Special Olympics is an organization that provides training and Olympics-style competition for people with intellectual disabilities.
“When we got to the Academy, they said it was ‘mandatory’,” said Andrew Valcourt, a 24-year-old cadet in the Maryland State Police Academy. “But it was a great experience. You go numb and everyone’s having a good time.”