Over 75 hardy individuals took to the icy waters outside Leamington’s Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre on Friday, February 20.
With temperatures dipping well below freezing for the first time in a week, the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Ontario left everyone #freezinforareason.
Hosted by the Ontario Provincial Police in partnership with Special Olympics Ontario, the event was also supported by several local sponsors, Essex-Windsor EMS and Leamington Fire Services.
At plunge time, 75 people had signed up to take the plunge in the above ground swimming pool set up in the east parking lot of the complex. Participants kept warm inside the complex until it was time to dip their toes and bodies into the icy water. They were then escorted back inside to get warm.
The top fundraising team was the Amico Plungers, who came dressed up for the occasion and held off a late charge by the OPP Auxiliary, which was the second highest team.
Individually, Special Olympian Daniel Martynse raised $2,291 and was the first plunger to hit the water, just after thanking everyone for their support. Dan’s dip was helped along by Leamington firefighters Malia Rosati and Eric Wright, who along with fellow firefighter Jaydon Tannous were in the water to help plungers who needed it.
In the end, a total of $23,240 was raised at the Leamington event, which was about 93 percent of the $25,000 goal.
This event was the inaugural event with hopes to come back every year and raise the much needed funds for Special Olympians across the province.
Special Olympian Daniel Martynse is helped into the frigid water by Leamington firefighters Malia Rosati (left) and Eric Wright. Daniel was the first plunger of the evening.
These ladies took the full plunge and their reaction after resurfacing says it all.
Two members of the Amico Plungers team brace for impact.
