The Town of North Hempstead’s annual Polar Plunge drew 500 people taking the plunge into Long Island Sound at North Hempstead Beach Park last Saturday to raise money for the New York State Special Olympics.
“It was cold,” said Town of North Heampstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, recounting the plunge he took in his fifth consecutive participation in the event.
This year, Kaiman’s five-year-old daughter Iyana joined her father in taking the plunge, along with Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel (D-Great Neck) and the 500 other stalwart souls who solicit sponsors to raise money for their frigid romp in the surf.
This year the effort raised $70,000, according to town spokesman Sid Nathan, who said the event also aims at raising awareness for individuals with intellectual disabilities in addition to helping support the 48,000 athletes who train for the state Special Olympics.
“They’re freezin’ for a reason,” is the tagline for the event, which is part of the town’s annual Winterfest.
Mild weather gave the swimmers and more than 500 onlookers that neared the 60-degree mark under fair skies as the participants taking the plunge hit the water at noon.
Preliminary festivities in the park included the presence of a DJ from radio station WBAB and a face painter who kept youngsters occupied through the morning.
