The Polar Bear Plunge was once again a hit in Wildwood this past weekend, despite the cold weather and flooded pools on the way to the ocean! Over 950 brave souls signed up to traverse the freezing waters to take the ultimate plunge for an amazing cause. Whether they were decked out in costumes, which ranged from Mermaids to Vikings, or simply sporting a bathing suit, this community worked nonstop for months raising money to come together to help the wonderful athletes of Special Olympics New Jersey! The efforts of plungers and donors amounted to raising over $350,000! These funds will allow athletes to train and compete in future games coming up later this year, including the Spring Games Basketball tournament in the Wildwoods on March 23-24!
The day began inside the Wildwood Convention Center where plungers checked in and received incentives earned from fundraising for their teams. They could warm up, shop for souvenirs, or change inside as well if needed. Many ventured out to the parking lot with their teams to celebrate the day until it was time to hit the beach and take the plunge.
Photo Gallery
Once the plunging was over, all plungers were treated to a buffet lunch inside the convention center where the top fundraisers were revealed!
Take a moment to recognize the amazing efforts of these plungers and teams…
TOP 3 INDIVIDUALS
- Gary Evangelista – $7,767
- Jonathan Price – $6,310
- Karen Brady – $5,055
TOP 3 TEAMS
- Pigs in a Blanket – $40,365
- AlohAvengers – $30,642
- Piggy Park Pungers – $19,750
Some great costumes today at the 2024 Wildwood Polar Bear Plunge! Share your costumes and vote for your favorite #pbpww pic.twitter.com/AKGbtTULvN
— Special Olympics NJ (@SONewJersey) January 13, 2024
Thank you to the NJ Law Enforcement Torch Run, the City of Wildwood, The Wildwoods Convention Center, and Wawa for supporting this year’s Polar Bear Plunge at Wildwood. This event would not be possible without the many dedicated volunteers, all of the awesome plungers, and the amazing
Special Olympics New Jersey athletes!
We can’t wait to see you all back next year!
