Cedar Beach to Host Second Polar Plunge in November

Last year the temperature was about 52 degrees at Cedar Beach as into the icy cold waters of the Long Island Sound to support Special Olympics. In all, the plungers raised about $28,000. This year they hope to do it again.

The Second Annual Polar Bear Plunge was announced at Brookhaven Town Hall on Tuesday, when Supervisor Mark Lesko and Councilwoman Jane Bonner were joined by Maria Gruendel, a Special Olympics athlete, and Kristina Aquilone from the Special Olympics New York-Long Island Region to set the date.

The Town of Brookhaven Polar Plunge will return to Cedar Beach in Mt. Sinai this year on Saturday, Nov. 19.

Supervisor Lesko was there last year to take the plunge along with and he says everyone should try it. 

“I encourage everyone to plunge this year with your neighbors, friends, and of course Special Olympics athletes to make their dreams possible,” he said.

Among the people plunging at the first event was Town Councilwoman Bonner and she wants a bigger crowd to show up this time to support Special Oylmpics.

"Take it from me, the water is chilly, but the reward of knowing that I was able to make a difference in someone’s life by taking the plunge last year made it all worthwhile," she said.

Residents can visit the Town of Brookhaven Polar Plunge website to get more information. On the day of the event, registration will take place between 10 and 11:30 a.m. The Plunge will happen at noon.

Special Olympics Long Island has 4,000 athletes training and competing year-round in 22 Olympics-style sports. The athletes and their families or caregivers are never charged to participate. It costs $400 to support training and competition for one athlete for one sports season. Special Olympics of Long Island encourages plungers to set their goal at $400 to sponsor an athlete for an entire season.