Community Corner

The Plunge in the Park Keeps Growing [VIDEO]

Sixty-eight people ran into Great Hollow Lake for the Special Olympics' fundraiser Sunday.

Fairfield University's radio station played music at Great Hollow Lake and hot dogs cooked on the grill for the growing Sunday morning crowd. Soup Thyme had also brought vats of hot soup on the cold day, as the second annual Plunge in the Park got underway.

Last year, 50 people ran into the frigid waters of Great Hollow Lake in an event that raised about $3,500 for Special Olympics CT. On Sunday it only took one participant to exceed that amount.

"My brother-in-law, Joe Gintoli, raised $6,000," said Police Sgt. Pete Howard.

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The Monroe Police Department co-sponsors the Plunge and also holds an annual Tip-A-Cop at Roberto's Restaurant to raise funds for Special Olympics CT.

"We're hoping for $10,000 and 100 people in the water," Howard said of this year's goals.

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At the end of the day, 68 people took the plunge into the cold water, but the number of participants is getting closer to triple-digits.

Jennifer Magas of Monroe teaches writing at Fairfield University. She said a number of her Fairfield and Southern Connecticut university students took part in the Plunge.

Magas handles public relations for the event. She praised the contributions of Howard and his wife, Christine, who does the brochure and volunteers.

Richard Dix of Bridgeport wore a white bathrobe before taking the Plunge.

"I'm here to help support Pete," he said. "I feel good. I figure I'll do it for the kids and their families to do what they do for the Special Olympics. And I can certainly deal with the chill."

At one o'clock, the countdown commenced and a crowd of people donning bathing suits on the cold December day ran into the water, before immediately splashing around as they scrambled back to the beach to wrap themselves up in the warmth of their towels.

Bruce Lazar, assistant principal of Jockey Hollow Middle School, joked that he was the only town administrator who took the plunge.

"It's nice and refreshing," he said afterward. "My toes are cold. That's all."

"It's invigorating," said Dix. "Freezing. It was worse getting out, because you don't know what you're getting into going in."

Debbie Horne of Special Olympics CT was encouraged by Sunday's turnout.

"I truly think it's going be an event that grows," she said. "People come with their family and their friends. It's a feel-good event, because it's a great cause."


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