Supervisor Mark Lesko (left) and Councilwoman Jane Bonner (right) warm up after the 2010 plunge with Special Olympics athlete Matthew Schuster from Medford (center).

Farmingville, NY – Registration is still open for the 2011 Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics, which will take place on Saturday, November 19 at 12:00 noon at Cedar Beach in Mt. Sinai. The event is co-sponsored by the Town of Brookhaven. Last year, 350 people braved the cold waters of the Long Island Sound to help raise nearly $50,000.

“This is a fun event that does so much good for the Special Olympics, and I am ready to take the Plunge again this year,” said Supervisor Lesko, “I encourage everyone to plunge this year and help the Special Olympics athletes.”

“The Special Olympics is such a great organization,” said Councilwoman Bonner. “We expect to have a bigger crowd this year and I look forward to taking the Plunge with Supervisor Lesko, my fellow residents and all the Special Olympic athletes.”

Supervisor Lesko and Councilwoman Bonner participated in the polar plunge last year.

Special Olympics Long Island has 4,000 athletes training and competing year-round in 22 Olympics-style sports. The athletes and their families or caregivers are never charged to participate. It costs $400 to support training and competition for one athlete for one sports season. Special Olympics of Long Island encourages plungers to set their goal at $400 to sponsor an athlete for an entire season. For more information and to register online for the 2011 Polar Plunge, go to www.brookhaven.org. On the day of the event, registration will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and the Plunge will happen at 12:00 noon. Participants who raise $100 to take the Plunge will receive an official Polar Plunge sweatshirt.

Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6595 • Fax (631) 451-6258