Super Plunge Event in Westbrook Will Benefit Special Olympics

The 2nd Annual Super Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut, presented by law enforcement officers and Special Olympics Connecticut, will be held on Saturday, March 28th and Sunday, March 29th. The event will take place at the Westbrook Elks Lodge which is located at 142 Seaside Avenue in Westbrook beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday and continuing through noon on Sunday. A select group of individuals will plunge into the chilly waters of Long Island Sound every hour for 24 consecutive hours to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. The community is invited to join the dedicated Super Plungers for a Final Plunge at noon on Sunday, March 29th. Pre-registration is suggested and participants must raise a minimum of $100 to participate in the Final Plunge. To find out more visit soct.org. And, follow Special Olympics Connecticut and the Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for event updates. Questions? Call 203-230-1201 or email specialolympicsct@soct.org.

Penguin Plunges give participants an opportunity to come together with friends and other warm-hearted individuals in their community to have fun and do good. Participants jump into the chilly waters of a lake or ocean in an exciting, festive atmosphere and earn great incentive prizes by raising money online to support Special Olympics’ year-round sports, health and fitness programs for people of all abilities.

“Super Plungers” will include Officer Joe Herten of the Branford Police Department, District Administrator Scott Erfe of the Connecticut Department of Corrections, Officer Denny Peterson of the Orange Police Department, Officer Ronald Bentley and Officer Roberto Lopez of the New Canaan Police Department, Officer Erin Connole of the Avon Police Department, Chief Don Thornton of the US Navy, Detective Mike Patrizz and Officer Cody Flanigan of the Vernon Police Department, Adam Palermo of the Westbrook Elks and Westbrook Fire Department, Lieutenant Daniel Grady and Officer Stephen Kaine of the Bridgeport Correctional Center, as well as three civilians - Jeff Meyer, Bryan Meyer and John Chandler. They will be joined by four law enforcement officers from Maine and Rhode Island, who will represent their respective Special Olympics programs.

About the Special Olympics Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run®

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Connecticut is one of the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicles. This year-round program involves law enforcement officers from across the state who volunteer their time to raise awareness and funds through events including Tip-a-Cops, Cop-on-Tops, and Jail N’ Bail fundraisers. In addition, each year in June, over 1,500 officers and athletes carry the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" through hundreds of cities and towns across the state, covering over 530 miles over three days. The runners run the “Final Leg” and light the ceremonial cauldron during Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games.

Law Enforcement Torch Run Sponsors: Platinum Sponsors: Dream Ride, Whelen Engineering, WWE and The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund. Gold Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets / IGA Hometown Supermarkets and Papa’s Dodge.

About Special Olympics Connecticut

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for more than 13,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities. Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 190 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for people of all abilities, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)

Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Dream Ride, Enterprise, ESPN, Eversource Energy, The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC and Telemundo Connecticut, TD Bank, United Technologies and WWE. Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Campus Customs, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Connecticut Portable Storage/PODS, Marcus Communications, Poland Spring, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and WORX.