By Luca Gross (Press Republican)
Everybody was “freezin’ for a reason,” and that reason was fundraising for Special Olympics New York athletes.
Plattsburgh City Beach echoed with laughter and shivers Saturday after hundreds endured the 37-degree water of Lake Champlain in the name of goodwill.
BODY AND SOUL
According to Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman, the plunge is a “full body and soul” experience.
“The cold will invigorate your body and really captures your breath,” he said.
“And it stays with you for a while.”
Cashman took the plunge alongside City of Plattsburgh Mayor Wendell Hughes and State Assemblyman Billy Jones.
Over 40 teams, consisting of local law enforcement, firefighters, college students, high school students, businesses and nonprofits participated in the plunge and raised over $15,000.
‘IT WAS VERY COLD’
For Tharron Roberts, of Team FCI Ray Brook and a first time plunger, the frigid dip was a shocking and new experience.
“It was very cold,” she said.
“This is the first and maybe only time I will do this.”
Roberts and her teammates Erica Bilodeau and Travis Cayea felt this was something they “needed to do” to show support for the athletes of the North Country.
“This is something I have always wanted to do,” Cayea said.
“We always try to participate in events like this,” Bilodeau added.
BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER
According to Jordynne Oshier, founder of Team True to Form, it’s all about community.
“The big thing is bringing the community together,” she said.
She put the team together “to be able to do something for the community.”
For Victoria LaVarnway, of Team True To Form, the plunge seemed like a fun thing to do while supporting the athletes.
“I did this for the Special Olympics, I think it’s so important to support their team,” she said.
“And I thought it would be a fun thing to do.”
This was the first plunge held in Plattsburgh since 2019.
The Polar Plunge is a major fundraiser for the North Country Region Special Olympic team and the largest fundraising event organized by Special Olympics New York.
