36
NEW JERSEY COPS ■ FEBRUARY 2014
“There’s a team from Toms River that comes in
to the plunge with something like $30,000... but
they raise money all year. What Kevin has
pledged to do in such a short time can only be
done if the membership steps up to help and
wants to see him plunge.”
BOB BELFIORE
water. And if George Castanza has taught us anything, it’s that
cold water is no man’s friend.
Retired Port Authority Police Chief Bob Belfiore who is also
the New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run director for the last
30 years, chose Lyons to come aboard the committee and help
plan the annual plunge events in Wildwood and Seaside
Heights. Belfiore said he isn’t surprised at Lyons’ challenge and
willingness to do more because that is his nature.
Belfiore has hope that Lyons’ challenge can be pulled off with
just a few weeks until the Polar Bear Plunge at the Seaside
Heights boardwalk.
“There’s a team from Toms River that comes in to the plunge
with something like $30,000,” Belfiore said, “but they raise
money all year. What Kevin has pledged to do in such a short
time can only be done if the membership steps up to help and
wants to see him plunge.”
The plunge this month will attract 3,000 plungers, 10,000
spectators and organizers hope more than $1 million in
fundraising dollars will be raised for the Special Olympics. This
event is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year and provides
funding towards the Special Olympics National Games that will
be held in June in Mercer County.
“When I was down at the Wildwood Plunge,” noted Lyons, “I
just figured I’d do the right thing. The state PBA gives a donation
every year at our plunge in Seaside, but what I am pledging is
independent. If Locals and individual members raise the
money, I’m going in.”d