Community Corner

Polar Bear Plunge Moved To Long Branch

Hurricane Sandy destruction forced Special Olympics to move February 2013 event away from Seaside Heights

The 20th annual Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics New Jersey, held in Seaside Heights for the last six years, has been moved to Long Branch, officials have announced.

This event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 23.

The decision to move the event was made in the weeks following Hurricane Sandy, as the magnitude of devastation to the area became apparent, officials said.

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“This iconic shore town has welcomed us for the past six years, but now they need to focus solely on restoration efforts,” said Marc Edenzon, president of Special Olympics New Jersey.

“While Sandy wreaked havoc on the residents and businesses of Seaside Heights, we have no doubt that there is a resiliency among the leadership and greater Seaside Heights Community that will lead to an extraordinary recovery.”

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Seaside Heights Mayor William Akers, quoted in a release from the Special Olympics, said it is his hope that everybody who was planning on attending the Plunge will still come out to support the event.

“Special Olympics New Jersey is a worthy cause and we are pleased that the organizers have found a suitable location to host the event,” he said.

Thousands of people take the Plunge each year into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for the athletes of Special Olympics New Jersey. This past February, more than 5,900 plungers raised over $1.4 million in this single-day event.

The Polar Bear Plunge will be held at 1 p.m., with registration opening at 9 a.m. All Plungers must raise a minimum of $100 to participate. Incentives are given for higher fundraising levels.

Radio station NJ 101.5’s Big Joe Henry, “the Voice of the Plunge” will broadcast live on Plunge Day with interviews, updates and a countdown to Plunge.

For more information, visit www.njpolarplunge.org or call (609)-896-8000.

 

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