On Saturday, November 3rd 2018, families, local schools and volunteers came out to support Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) at the annual Thanks4Giving Plunge in Asbury Park, NJ.
Participants met at The Grand Arcade of Convention Hall and plunged into the chilly Atlantic Ocean on a sunny, yet blustery afternoon. The water temperature was a high of 60 degrees while the air was a mild 56. This event, hosted by the Law Enforcement Torch Run® raised almost $30,000 with over 160 participants. This is the most plungers SONJ has had participate in the last four years!
This was also the first time the Cool School Challenge was held in Asbury Park. Unified Champion Schools, including students and staff, competed as teams to raise money for SONJ and their school. Any plunger who raised more than $75 received 50% over that amount raised to give back to their school. There was a total of 43 plungers on four school teams who raised over $6,000*. The highest fundraising school was the Monroe Township Falcons – go team!
And they’re off! The 2018 Thanks4Giving Plunge! pic.twitter.com/grnZZGKNpe
— Special Olympics NJ (@SONewJersey) November 3, 2018
Highest Fundraisers
Congratulations to the other highest fundraising participants (not part of the Cool School Challenge):
Team Dean 2018, whose 15 members raised $1,745*
The highest individual fundraiser was Patrick Kinsella, raising $1,885*
* These numbers are reflected in the overall numbers of 160 participants and $30k raised.
Click here for Photos from the Thanks4Giving Plunge
Missed the Thanks4Giving Plunge at Asbury Park? Be sure to register for our famous Wildwood Polar Bear Plunge on January 13th 2019 and the Seaside Polar Bear Plunge on February, 23rd 2019.