JERSEY SHORE – It was with some irony that the biggest polar bear plunge at the Jersey Shore was pushed back a few weekends to March 14 due to a build-up of winter snow, but the event came to life along the shore of Seaside Heights last weekend.
The plunge was originally scheduled for February 28 but ended up postponed after nearly two feet of snow descended on the barrier island, making parking and preparations problematic.
Seaside Heights has hosted the event for many years. New Jersey 101.5 FM is one of many long-time sponsors along with the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey. The huge fundraiser supports the cause of the Special Olympics.
Each plunger had to raise a $110 minimum to a $125 minimum depending on when you registered to participate. As per tradition, thousands of plungers took to the chilly water at 1 p.m. in front of Spicy‘s Cantina, a popular restaurant on the boardwalk.
Among them were Melissa Trevenen dressed as a red M&M, her fellow plunger Erin Hineline decked out as a green M&M, Kim Tulton. Hineline remarked, “we’re from central jersey, we’ve done this for 11 years.”
Other teams taking the plunge included members of the First Bible Church of Matawan. Church member Deborah Nelson told Jersey Shore Online.com “last year was my daughter’s first year to plunge. She was brave and she came by herself. She decided to get a group together so she went to the church and formed a group and they raised $1,400. There will be eight of them going in and some others cheering them on.”
For Beachwood resident Christi Aldellizzi, it was a family event. “I’d always wanted to plunge but had difficulty finding anyone who wanted to do it with me. Three years ago, a friend set up a team page and I was finally able to cross it off my bucket list.”
“It’s such a fun day and raises money for a wonderful cause. It’s our third year plunging but my daughter’s first. I’m so happy she was able to come home to spend the day with us,” she added.
Jersey Shore Online.com’s own production staff member Julia Wilkins also took the plunge. “I went with my family. It was my third time plunging this year, we created our own team to raise money.”
Taking some pre-plunge photos were MaryJane dressed as a shark, her friend Patty costumed as purple narwhal and April costumed as a blue narwhal. The trio has been doing this for at least 10 years.
“I did on my 50th birthday as part of my bucket list,” MaryJane said. “We missed it during Covid. We’re from Monroe and Old Bridge.” Her friends said they decided to do it with her but had no desire to do it themselves. They added “but now it is a tradition and we come back every year.” They have always plunged in costume. “One year it was snowing when we went in.”
A couple from Brick, Catie and Colin Gabrielle, dressed as aliens waiting for their time to head down to the beach for their fifth plunge.
“Last year we were Winnie the Pooh gang and before that we were polar bears. It is our favorite thing to do during the winter,” Catie Gabrielle remarked. “It’s a little bit windy today. It was beautiful last year and the year before that it snowed but it is pretty warm this year and we are happy about it. We go out come in and go out a second time.”
They weren’t the only ones dressed in intergalactic attire. Members of the 501st Squadron, a Star Wars costuming club – a few of whom reside in Toms River, were also present on the boardwalk. A few plunged afterwards, although not in costume.
Last year, approximately 7,500 people took part in the event, raising $2.5 million for the cause and that figure of plungers and donations were at least matched if not surpassed this year.
Special Olympics Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Jeremy Davisnoted the “Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights was a rousing success with nearly 7,000 brave plungers taking to the 37-degree water on a beautifully sunny, yet slightly breezy day at the beach. The air temperature was in the low 50s as Special Olympics New Jersey athletes, volunteers, and supporters witnessed a sea of humanity come together for a great cause.” The plunge’s own mascot, a polar bear was there giving encouragement to plungers and greeting attendees.
This marked the 33rd year for the huge fundraiser which has a number of regular sponsors like Wawa whose workers once again distributed free hot coffee and hot chocolate to one and all.
For over 55 years, Special Olympics New Jersey has provided year-round sports training and athletic competition in 24 Olympic-type sports for thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, completely free of charge.
