Plunge raises big bucks for Special Olympics Delaware

    Despite high winds and heavy rain, the annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge raised more than half a million dollars for Special Olympics.

    A wet, but not so “polar” plunge into the Atlantic Ocean raised more than $500,000 for Special Olympics Delaware.

    The annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge had been scheduled for early last month, but a massive snow storm forced organizers to postpone the event until this past weekend.  Special Olympics Delaware’s Jon Buzby says, “We were once again overwhelmed by the generous support of the community for the athletes of  Special Olympics Delaware.”

    More than 2,300 people took part in this year’s plunge, which was somewhat impacted again by the weather.  Participants were only allowed to wade in to their knees because of stormy weather including heavy rains and high winds that created dangerous conditions in the water.

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    The water temperature for the plunge was 42 degrees, while the air temperature was  a warmer than usual 48 degrees.

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