Media Advisory by: Megan Hoffman, Special Olympics MA
Officers and family members jump into icy cold waters raising funds and awareness
Marlborough, MA – On Saturday, March 17, 2018, Special Olympics Massachusetts hosted the 3rd
annual Polar Plunge at the Yawkey Sports Training Center in Marlborough, partnering with the
Marlborough Police Department through the Law Enforcement Torch Run. For the second year in a
row, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) sent a team – surpassing their 2017 totals with
29 team members and $4,080 raised. In 2017, the team raised $840 with 11 Plungers.
When asked about the team’s experience, WCSO Assistant Superintendent Jim Trainor said: “The
2018 Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Plunge Team more than doubled in numbers with the addition
of our Special Operations Group, along with new Correctional Staff and some family members of staff.
The additions are attributed to word getting out on our first Plunge Team that participated in the 2017
Plunge. Our 2017 Plunge Team didn’t know what to expect last year but after our team plunged, we all
gained a sense of accomplishment,” said Trainor. “We felt we helped Special Olympics athletes with
such little effort. I can honestly say that our Plunge Team has already set goals for the 2019 Special
Olympics Polar Plunge.”
The 2018 edition coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics Movement. “It is
because of partners like the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office that Special Olympics has reached this
milestone,” said Special Olympics Massachusetts’ AVP of Development, Law Enforcement Torch Run
(LETR), Megan Hoffman, adding “With the Department’s support, we know the next 50 years will help
even more individuals with intellectual disabilities get into the game.”
