On Saturday, Feb. 3, the Town of North Hempstead hosted the Special Olympics New York Polar Plunge. The plunge took place at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington. Every year, Special Olympics New York organizes polar plunges around the state to raise funds for local Special Olympics athletes. The polar plunge attracts thousands of Special Olympics supporters and thrill seekers across the country. This year, Special Olympics New York has planned about ten polar plunges across the state, beginning in November and finishing up in early April.
The Town of North Hempstead hosts the Special Olympics New York Polar Plunge to show support for the Special Olympics and raise funds for local athletes. The Polar Plunge supports year-round sports training and competition, as well as health and inclusion programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Special Olympics NY community.
“The money goes directly to our local athletes,” Rebecca Hoffman, director of development for Special Olympics New York told the Great Neck Record. “We provide 22 Olympic-style sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. We give them the opportunity to train and compete, and we never charge them a dollar for anything. We provide opportunities that they’re not given in their school district or on the community soccer teams.”
Great Neck resident Erin Lipinsky fundraises each year for the Polar Plunge. This year marks his tenth year participating in the “Freezin’ for a Reason” Polar Plunge. He has been a longtime member of the Great Neck Spirits Basketball Team for Special Olympics NY.
Lipinksy has consistently been the top fundraiser in New York. In March of 2022, Lipinksy raised $23,290 for Special Olympics New York at the Polar Plunge. At the 2023 Polar Plunge in late March, Lipinsky raised more than he expected and beat his previous record by raising $28,000 for Special Olympics New York.
This year, Lipinsky broke his own fundraising record, once again making him the top individual fundraiser of the event. Lipinsky raised $32,000 for Special Olympics New York at this year’s Polar Plunge.
Hoffman shared that there were 110 plungers at North Hempstead’s Polar Plunge, raising a total of $63,000.
Great Neck Resident Sets New Fundraising Record At 2024 Polar Plunge
