6th Annual Polar Bear Plunge Raises $40,000 for Special Olympics NYSal

Gerbino and organizers of the 6th Annual Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics New York were delighted with the sunshine and the number of teams who came out for the Polar Plunge on Sunday, February 5th. The Polar Bear Plunge at Ontario Beach Park benefits Special Olympics New York and is one of the many fundraising events that are part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Initiatives. The Plunge is part of the Lakeside Winter Celebration at Ontario Beach Park in Charlotte. The Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is an international series of torch relays, run by law enforcement officers leading up to each state or nation's summer games. Law enforcement personnel raise money and awareness about the programs in conjunction with their respective Torch Runs for their local Special Olympics programs. Law Enforcement personnel coordinate and run the event which is open to the public. Sgt. Sal Gerbino, a Gates Police officer has coordinated law enforcement activities and the torch run for many years.
As part of the plunge there are contests for: Oldest Plunger, Youngest Plunger, Best Costume, Team with the most Money and Person who raises the most money. Participants in the plunge must have a minimum $60 pledge to enter. The plunge draws largely from the Rochester area but participants come from as far away as New York City and Canada. Nearly 400 people took the dip into Lake Ontario. Some plunged entirely and some merely got their toes wet but all were there to support Special Olympics and have some Fun. Many local teams were recognized in the crowd...ARC, BOCES, York, Livingston County, Flaherty’s , St. Margaret Mary’s School, Attica Correction Facility and many law enforcement groups. They were cheered on by Special Olympics Athlete Global Messengers... among them Andy Marshall, Kevin Arnone and others. Families supported the event, among them Andy Schwytzer and. friends whose brother Teddy is an avid Special Olympics athlete. Sgt. Gerbino is to be commended for his loyal support of the Law Enforcement activities.