POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 29 PANS in the community A fresh layer of snow and hot tub was all they needed. Organizers couldn't have asked for a better backdrop for the fourth annual Polar Plunge, which was held by the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Sunday. A crowd of about 150 was at RCMP headquarters in Charlottetown to plunge into a freezing pool of water while also raising more than $16,000 for Special Olympics P.E.I. "I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous when I saw the snow this morning. We were concerned it was pretty blustery weather," said Roger Steadman, provincial torch run co-ordinator and park warden supervisor with Parks Canada. "In the end, it actually made it kind of nice. There was a lot of snow, so it really felt like a polar plunge." Steadman knew first hand after taking the plunge twice himself. "It was really cold. We had this event where we've jumped in the ocean before and this was colder," he said. "The Charlottetown Fire Department threw a bunch of ice in it for us and got the temperature really down there." Many members of P.E.I.'s law enforcement community, the general public and Special Olympians were "freezin' for a reason" on Sunday. While it was chilly, Stratford business Live for Today sponsored the event by bringing a hot tub to warm up participants. It was a popular attraction, to say the least. "I don't see how we could ever do it without the hot tub," Steadman said with a laugh. "It was a big bonus." The fourth annual plunge also saw the fundraiser held in two locations for the first time, with some taking the dive in Summerside. Charity Sheehan, executive director of Special Olympics P.E.I., said the weather made the day great for a plunge. "I've done them all and by far this was the coldest year yet," said Sheehan. She said the large crowd who came out for the event also meant a lot to the athletes and their families. Many athletes themselves took part, with many organizing themselves into teams complete with fun costumes. "We've had more and more athletes actually participate in the plunge as years go by. All the money raised here today stays here and helps support those programs, so they know what it means to have all those donations come in," she said. "Some of the people here today aren't typically people who donate to Special Olympics but choose to do it through this avenue. So it gives us an opportunity to reach more people." Both Steadman and Sheehan also thanked the law enforcement community, as well as those who supported the event. Roger Steadman said individuals can still donate by following a link on the P.E.I. Law Enforcement Torch Run's Facebook page or by contacting the Special Olympics P.E.I. office in Charlottetown. As originally published on April 11, 2016 by Mitch MacDonald, The Guardian Freezin´ for a reason “All the money raised here today stays here and helps support those programs, so they know what it means to have all those donations come in." Polar Plunge raises money for Special Olympics Charlottetown Police Services Det. Const. Tara Watts, left and Const. Kristi MacKay, take the Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics P.E.I. outside RCMP headquarters in Charlottetown Sunday. The event saw many members of P.E.I.'s law enforcement community and the general public come together to support Island athletes.
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