The water temperature in Lake George was 46 degrees Saturday afternoon. The air temperature at Shepard Park was a bit cooler at 36 degrees, and several inches of new-fallen snow covered the beach. However, wintry conditions did not stop nearly 600 people dressed in bathing suits and costumes from plunging into Lake George to raise money for Special Olympics NY.
This year’s Freezin’ for a Reason Polar Plunge raised more than $100,000 to train and send the organizations’s nearly 67,000 Special Olympic athletes to Special Olympic competitions. New York’s Special Olympic athletes compete in two annual state games and in local competitions throughout the state.
Special Olympics New York was established in 1969 by Dorothy Buehring Phillips, who served as its first State Director. The program offers more than 5,000 competitive opportunities each year to individuals with intellectual disabilities. The 2019 Special Olympic Winter Games will open Feb. 22 in Rochester. The 2019 Summer Games will be held June 14 – 16 in Poughkeepsie.
The Lake George Polar Plunge is sponsored by the Capital District Special Olympic Region, one of nine Special Olympic regions in the state.
Congratulations, cheers and deep thanks to all of the Brave-hearts who splashed into the icy Lake George waters, all in an effort to raise funds for our Special Olympic Athletes! YOU ARE ALL MY HEROES!