Polar Bear Plunge: MD State Police Take Swim For Special Olympics

Annapolis MD

25 March, 2022

3:55 PM

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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland State Police took the Polar Bear Plunge on Friday at Sandy Point State Park. Attendees of the annual Annapolis event raise money for Special Olympics Maryland by diving into the chilly Chesapeake Bay. Special Olympics is an organization that hosts sporting events for children and adults with disabilities. More than 1,500 police officers, medics and first responders attended this year's gathering. Gov. Larry Hogan was also there. "On behalf of the great State of Maryland, thank you for your service each and every day, and for your commitment to this great cause," the governor said in a press release. Gov. Larry Hogan on Friday attended the 26th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge. (Courtesy of the Office of Gov. Larry Hogan) Hogan also gave the 7th annual Jimmy Myrick Jr. Governor's Courage Award to Desiree Holland. She has been a Special Olympics Maryland athlete for 42 years. Holland has competed in track and field, swimming and cycling. She won a gold medal in the 25-meter butterfly at the 2019 Special Olympics. The Jimmy Myrick Jr. Governor's Courage Award honors a Special Olympics athlete who Hogan befriended during their mutual cancer treatments. The governor also earned an honor at the plunge. He was surprised with the Champions Award for supporting Special Olympics Maryland. Gov. Larry Hogan earned the Champions Award for supporting Special Olympics Maryland. (Courtesy of the Office of Gov. Larry Hogan) The Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge has been a staple since 1997. This was the 26th annual event. Plungers hope to raise more than $3.5 million this year. That money will support more than 6,100 athletes from Special Olympics Maryland. The plunge was originally scheduled for late January through early February. Planners delayed the fundraiser until this month because of a winter COVID-19 surge. There are several versions of the plunge. Here's when each plunge got moved to. Super Plunge: Friday, March 18 through Saturday, March 19Cool Schools Plunge: Thursday, March 24Police Plunge: Friday, March 25Corporate Plunge: Friday, March 25Maryland Plunge: Saturday, March 26 The plunge had in-person and virtual options this year. The in-person portion was canceled last year because of the pandemic, but the virtual session still continued. More information is posted at plungemd.com. RELATED: Polar Bear Plunge Postponed Until March Because Of COVID-19 SurgePolar Bear Plunge Returns To Sandy Point Have a story idea? Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County news.