25th Annual Polar Bear Plunge
25th Annual Polar Bear Plunge
Linden Local gets caught up in the spirit
It was about time for Linden Local 42 to join, well, the party.
The Local had 10 of its 12 participants plunging for the first time this year. They, of course, knew all about raising money for Special Olympics New Jersey, having done the Torch Run the past few years.
But word of thousands of PBA members coming to Seaside Heights each February has apparently spread throughout the state. And Linden had heard enough to understand what was at stake.
“ We’ re happy to be down here for the Special Olympics, representing and going in with our fellow officers here along with everyone else in the state of New Jersey for a great cause,” Local 42 member Ray Wegrzynek noted.“ This is something that has been a thought of our department, as well as us as individuals, and we found out from fellow officers and other friends.”
Local 42 members had heard enough about the event to know that it would be exhilarating. Beyond that, they had no expectations about what it would be like.
“ We’ re just going to go in and out,” Linden Officer Joe Cacioppo reported.“ Or we may swim to frigging Portugal,” Wegrzynek added. Just go for it embodies the spirit that motivates Locals like
Linden to represent. But there is another motivating factor.
“ It’ s the camaraderie and the fact that we have actually been doing more events together,” Cacioppo said.“ And each year we’ ve been getting more members to do these events.” d
40 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ MARCH 2018