FISHKILL – Hundreds of people took turns jumping into an icy lake on Saturday during the 2022 Polar Plunge at Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill. The event has raised more than $200,000 for the New York Special Olympics this year, according to Teresa Gilli, director of Development for the Hudson Valley Region of Special Olympics New York.
More than 500 participants raised money to give them a chance to jump into the lake at Camp Mariah. On Friday, a State Police dive team spent time removing ice from the lake to make the jumps possible. On Saturday, the divers were back in the water removing newly formed ice. They stayed in the water during the jumps in the event of an emergency.
“I am beyond thrilled with the turnout of people today,” said Gilli. “Despite howling winds, 22 degree air temps, and a lake that was trying to re-freeze, we were able to raise more than $200,000 this year, and donations are still coming in.”
Linda Fakhoury has organized a team to jump for at least 10 years. This year, Team Fakhoury has raised $5,125 and is waiting for additional pledges to arrive to add to the several thousand dollars raised over the years. “We plunge every year not only to support the athletes of the Special Olympics, but also in honor and in memory of our loved ones that we have lost to cancer, and those who still fight it on a daily basis. Our shirts were made this year by RB Creative Chaos Crafts to highlight how “No One Fights Alone” with this disease and that we are in this together.
New York State Police divers clearing ice on Saturday morning:
