Polar Bear Plunge 2017 for Special Olympics
Feb. 25, Seaside Heights
Showing the flag
PBA members come out in force to support another record-setting day for Special Olympics
n STORIES BY MITCHELL KRUGEL AND AMBER RAMUNDO n PHOTOS BY ED CARATTINI, JR., AND AMBER RAMUNDO
Broadcasting live oceanside from the 24th annual Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics in Seaside Heights, famed DJ Big Joe Henry started his annual spot with NJ State PBA leaders by issuing a telling declaration. First Vice-President Pete Andreyev and Recording Secretary Meg Hammond, the Special Olympics liaison, represented the PBA and beamed with pride when they heard Big Joe’ s description.
“ The PBA represents more than 35,000 members of the New Jersey law enforcement community and it seems like every one of them is here,” Henry exclaimed.
He might not have been far off. Everywhere you looked, PBA Locals had their flags out, their members dressed in costume and their fundraising efforts in full force. From Woodbridge Local 38 plunging as pirates to Northern Valley Local 233 dressing in Santa attire, PBA members turned out in style to help set another record for donations to Special Olympics, topping the more than $ 1.7 million raised last year.
“ Our members have a great response to a great cause,” Andreyev told Big Joe over the airwaves.“ This is what they do day-in and day-out.”
Andreyev and Hammond delivered the State PBA’ s annual $ 25,000 donation to Big Joe, who accepted on behalf of Special Olympics. One of New Jersey’ s most renowned and celebrated celebrities then explained how being part of this presentation is one of the best things he gets to do every year.
“ Nobody steps up more than law enforcement here in the Garden State,” Big Joe continued.“ Every year, the law enforcement involvement seems to get bigger and bigger and bigger. It’ s a tough enough job being a law enforcement officer, and for them to take the time out to do this is tremendous. I’ m a big fan, and I walk the blue line every day.”
A warmer-than-usual plunge day might have helped facilitate a bigger-than-usual turnout. Many Locals came in buses or trailers like Lyndhurst Local 202 and Lakewood Local 71, and many
parked vehicles the night before to be ready for a memorable day. Mercer County Sheriffs Officers Local 187 members even rented houses to add to their first-ever plunge experience.
An hour after the horn sounded and more than 7,000 had charged into the Atlantic, the ocean was still filled with PBA members. Rahway Local 31 took its usual place at the center of breaking waves. West Windsor Local Township Local 271 raised its white flag, perhaps as an indication that law enforcement officers will never surrender as long as there is an opportunity to help kids participate in Special Olympics.
“ This is our connection to the community. It’ s who we are,” Hammond praised.“ The brothers in blue are the best people on this planet. Everybody who went into the ocean today is doing something for the cause. We support our own families and we want to support everybody else’ s family. We understand how hard it is to do and you can only do that as a community.” d
42 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ MARCH 2017