Ferndale Police Take Polar Plunge Saturday For Special Olympics

Ferndale Police have Twitter abuzz with plans to take an ice-cold swim in the Detroit river Saturday. The Ferndale Police Department is teaming up with nonprofit group Vet Rec as part of the annual Michigan Law Enforcement Polar Bear Plunge on Belle Isle. The swim in freezing Detroit River water will help raise money for Special Olympics. Overall, the campaign has raised over $84,000, with Ferndale Police bringing in over $600.

The Detroit Polar Plunge takes place Feb. 24 at The Belle Isle Boat House. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., with participants hitting the Detroit River promptly at 11:30 am. A party, the, After Splash Bash, begins “immediately following the last plunger,” according to a release.

Polar Plunges are a Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) event. LETR is one of the Special Olympics largest fund-raising programs, welcoming the time and assistance of officers in both law enforcement and corrections from all over Michigan. The 28 Polar Plunges planned for 2018 will support over 23,000 athletes who take part in Special Olympics in Michigan. Special Olympics Michigan, a year-round program, offers the opportunity to participate in sports to people with intellectual disabilities.

Ferndale’s Polar Plungers are led by Vincent Palazzolo, with team members Micheal Wisniewski, Tamica Brooks, Chad Cox and A.J. Fugate. Anyone who’d like to make a pledge of support can find the team through the Ferndale Police Department’s Twitter feed, or via the team’s First Giving donations page.

Image via Ferndale Police.