NJ Cops March2018 | Page 36

Plunge Annual Polar 5th Annual 2 25th Polar Bear Bear Plu nge Elizabeth Local doesn’t forget its first-timer Even after 25 years, the Polar Bear Plunge can still serve up classic moments. Elizabeth Local 4 offered one of those oc- casions when member Carrie Scharpnick joined its plunge pack for the first time. Scharpnick became the first female Lo- cal 4 member to participate in the event. What convinced her to come out is pretty much what gets all law enforcement offi- cers to plunge for the first time. “All my boys,” Scharpnick quipped. “They said it’s an awesome time.” Actually, Local 4 has seen its plunge participation grow in a progression that has become a familiar way within the PBA. The Local starts with the Torch Run, and also hits the Special Olympics Plane Pull. And with the Polar Bear Plunge, it’s become a circuit. All roads apparently lead to a specific goal. “For these amazing children and the men and women and the Special Olym- pics, and to raise money for them so they can go out there and kick butt in the Spe- cial Olympics,” proclaimed Local 4 mem- ber Sean Campbell, who did the plunge for the sixth time this year. “What better way to spend a really cold February after- noon than to be here raising money for these awesome kids?” When it’s your first time, the cause is cause enough to look past what’s wait- ing in the ocean. While preparing for the plunging hour to approach, Scharpnick envisioned what it was going to be like. “I know it’s going to be like jumping into a bucket of ice,” she anticipated. “It will bring back the high school days and the injuries and the training rooms.” Scharpnick also anticipated why she wanted to cross this off her bucket list. “Today is just gratifying, absolute- ly amazing to come together for a great cause,” she added. “I wish we could do more of these.” d Cold play all worth it for Passaic County Prosecutors Local A seminal moment for Passaic County Prosecutors Office Lo- cal 265 members occurred on the beach. After taking the plunge. When law enforcement officers have displayed their tough- ness and their parts begin to thaw out, a sobering but reassuring feeling sets in. Polar Bear Plunge participants call this the “It’s all worth it” feeling. “You don’t feel it at first; you feel it a few minutes after,” Local 265 Financial Secretary Danielle D’Annible explained. “You go in, you come back out, and that’s when it gets cold. But you look around, and that’s when you know it’s for a good cause.” Amidst the sea of people on the shore in various states of “freezin’ for a reason,” the law enforcement officers emerged. D’Annible noticed the PBA Local logos abounding, and that promoted a warm feeling. “It’s a cold moment,” she continued, “but when you look around and see the solidarity – all the PBAs and the families of the kids that are part of the Special Olympics – it’s a great feeling to know that we are doing something to raise awareness and raise money for them.” Ten Local 265 members took the plunge this year, with an- other five members also coming to Seaside Heights as the sup- port team. With family and friends, Local 265 generated a tail- gate-like atmosphere under its tent on Franklin Avenue, a few blocks from the beach. It was the third year the Local brought a team to the event, and D’Annible, who jumped in for her second consecutive plunge, related that it’s not hard to get members to want to be there. 36 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ MARCH 2018 “Just because it’s a great cause,” she added. “It’s near and dear to the State PBA’s heart, so we’re trying to get on board and get some fundraising together.” As the numbness wears off and feeling comes back to the legs and feet, PBA members realize why they came all this way and went to the extreme of splashing into ocean water at near-freez- ing temperature. It’s a simple formula, really. “Great cause, great people, good work,” D’Annible empha- sized. “It’s an awesome day.” d