MARLBOROUGH – The weather wasn’t quite polar, but it was cold enough.
More than 40 brave souls took the plunge to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics of Massachusetts on Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Special Olympics headquarters on Forest Street.
Participants got to use one of the organization’s newest features – Bear Force One, a portable plunge unit.
The unit features a tank with a depth of 4 feet, with platforms and ladders on each side.
According to Rick Pierce, a co-director for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which raises funds for Special Olympics, the unit is one of four in the country. It was built specially for Special Olympics of Massachusetts, and it has already been in use for Polar Plunges across the state.
“It’s worked out very well,” he said. “It’s definitely going to get a lot of use.”
“The new tank is rather impressive,” said Kevin Hausmann, a teacher at Algonquin Regional High School.
Members of the Student Council from Marlborough High School took part in the event.
“We do a lot of work with Unified and Best Buddies,” said Mary Ellen Klein, the captain of the MHS team and adviser to the Student Council. “I don’t mind getting a little wet and cold.”
Several members of the Marlborough Police Department, including Chief David Giorgi and Officer Andy LaRose, also took part.
Several participants came in costume; one dressed up as an officer from “Star Trek,” while two sisters from Saugus came as a leopard and a tiger.
The MHS team was the event’s top fundraiser, collecting more than $5,300. The top individual fundraiser was Carol Westerman, who collected $4,000. Overall, participants raised more than $13,000.
According to Stephanie Esposito of Special Olympics, the Polar Plunge events taking place across Massachusetts will raise close to $1 million this year.
Proceeds from the Polar Plunge will help support year-round sports training and competition for more than 14,000 athletes across Massachusetts.
For information about Special Olympics, visit https://www.specialolympicsma.org/
