Polar Bear Plunge is Bigger Than Last Year [PHOTOS]

When you think about jumping into the Long Island Sound in mid-November you might think of the old Seinfeld television show bit about "shrinkage" but this year's Polar bear Plunge didn't have that problem. The second annual Brookhaven Polar Plunge at Cedar Beach was much bigger than last year's event, with more people who raised more money for Special Olympics New York athletes.

On Saturday in almost 60 degree weather they had over 500 people jump into the water. Combined, the event raised over $73,000, according to the official Polar Plunge website.

Last year the temperature was about 52 degrees with to raise about $50,000.

One of the top Brookhaven Town employee fundraisers was Thomas Roach, Director of Public Safety who raised $5,035. Roach plunged for his son Tommy who is autistic.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko, was also on hand to take the plunge along with Deputy Supervisor Kathleen Walsh and Councilwoman Jane Bonner. Putting a political bend on Brookhaven Town's team led by Lesko they named it "Team Freezing Taxes."

Bonner said that she's already looking forward to next year to make it "even bigger."

It was Deputy Supervisor Walsh's first plunge who called it "fantastic."

Lesko called the Polar Bear Plunge a "tradition that will get bigger every year." He also thanked the organizers for the work they do for the Special Olympics.

About jumping into the waters of the Long Island Sound he said that it was "“very cold, but it was well worth it."

Click through our gallery of photos from the plunge.