Sachem Swimmers Participate in Polar Bear Plunge

Sachem East junior Valerie Zeffiro recently organized a Suffolk County team, "Suffolk Swimmers,"  to participate in the 2011 Special Olympics New York Polar Bear Plunge, “Freezin’ for a Reason”.   

More than 25 individuals from Sachem East, Sachem North, and neighboring communities joined Suffolk Swimmers  and  participated in the event on Saturday at North Hempstead Beach Park. 

This is the second year that the Suffolk Swimmers participated.  The team raised over $4,800 this year, bringing the total raised by Suffolk Swimmers over the two-year period to $9,000. The Suffolk Swimmers were the top fundraiser for the event this year, according to Zeffiro.

The members committed  to grin and bear it for the athletes of Special Olympics New York by taking a chilly dip alongside many other warm-hearted people.  The cold was temporary, but the positive impact this will have on the lives of thousands of citizens with disabilities will last a lifetime.

All proceeds raised benefits the  48,761 athletes of Special Olympics New York, a non-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 22 Olympic style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.  

The athletes and caregivers are never charged to participate. It costs $400 to support training and competition for one athlete for one sports season. The money raised by Suffolk Swimmers will allow 12 athletes  to  pursue sports that would otherwise be unavailable without their fundraising efforts.