for Special Olympics
It’s the climb
Having conquered one significant hurdle for the benefit of
Special Olympics New Jersey, Allendale-Waldwick Local 217 State
Delegate Vincent Rizzo is ready to continue the climb. Literally.
As a member of the NJ State PBA’s Special Olympics liaison
team, Rizzo is coordinating a Rock Climbing fundraiser at The
Gravity Vault Indoor Rock Gym in Upper Saddle River on April 1.
Members can bring their families and pay $30 to enjoy an hour
or more of climbing.
“It’s climbing with the cops,” Rizzo encourages. “Every dollar is
going straight to Special Olympics.”
About that previous hurdle: Rizzo completed his first Polar
Bear Plunge, joining with a group from Upper Saddle River Local
218. He admitted that he felt some fear for this first one, almost
as if he were about to climb a mountain.
But once he made it into the water…
“It was invigorating,” Rizzo began. “I felt alive in a way that I
haven’t felt in a while. You jump in, and knowing that it’s for the
greater good and all that money goes for the kids who are less
fortunate, it was almost like an out-of-body experience. It was
Law Enforcement Torch Run Special Olympics
Rock Climbing Fundraiser
April 1
The Gravity Vault Indoor Rock Gym
107 Pleasant Ave., Upper Saddle River
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
For information go to, www.gravityvault.com.
that exciting.”
And Rizzo said that he will be back every year for the plunge,
even if he has to move mountains.
“I can assure you, if I have to take time off, I’m going to do it
every year,” he continued. “It makes you go above and beyond
knowing that it allows the kids to get all expenses paid to com-
pete in Special Olympics. I’m grateful for what I have going, the
job that I have, and this makes you want to push a little bit harder
for somebody who might have not been dealt the best hand.” d
All about
the crew
A crew of more than two dozen Holmdel Township Local
239 members and colleagues from Holmdel Fire and Rescue
held a lively tailgate on a section of Ocean Terrace with food,
music and games circulating around the parked Holmdel
bus. Detective Eric Hernando organized the team of PBA and
FMBA members who helped raise a total of $33,787 for the
New Jersey Special Olympics.
“Being law enforcement officers, this is a cause that’s close
to our hearts,” confirmed Hernando. “It’s the idea of raising
money for the Special Olympics that drives us to participate
in the Torch Run events like this one.”
Local 239 State Delegate Mike Michalski has been a law
enforcement officer for 15 years; for 13 of them he has taken
the plunge. Over the years, Michalski has experienced all of
the elements while jumping into the ocean in February. And
while most participants seemed to be thankful for the 60-de-
gree weather of the day, Michalski feels there is something
special about taking the plunge on a frigid day.
“This is fun, but we actually have the most fun when it’s
cold,” explained Michalski. “I don’t know what it is, but it
brings out the best in everyone.”
When it comes down to it, Michalski stressed that the Polar
Bear Plunge is all about having a good time with everyone
who knows the purpose of the event: freezin’ for a reason.
“I don’t care about the weather. I’m here regardless,” he
said. “It comes down to the people you’re with. We’re here for
a good cause and that’s the most important thing.” d
Like father, like son
The Polar Bear Plunge proved to be a great bonding experience
for a father-son duo who traveled to Seaside Heights to take on
the chill of the plunge together for the first time. Kley Peralta of
Hackensack Local 9 and his 11-year-old son stood at the front
of the crowd on the beach, ready to run into the water. Vincente
Peralta anxiously awaited plunge time, unsure of what to expect
once the waves hit.
“I haven’t even prepped him, other than to run right in and
don’t think about it,” shared Officer Peralta.
This wasn’t Peralta’s first time participating in the plunge and
he was ready to be reminded of the sting he felt in years past with
other law enforcement officers. This time though, he felt his son
was ready for it as well.
“I figured now he’s old enough to do it and it’s not too cold out-
side, so why not?” explained Peralta with Vincente at his side. “It’s
for a great cause, and to be here with my son makes it even bet-
ter.” Vincente nodded his head in agreement that it meant a lot to
be taking the plunge with his heroic father. d
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