Vernon police ready for a dip

Vernon — The Vernon Police will once again participate in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge in Seaside Heights. This year’s event will be held Feb 2, 2010. The Polar Plunge has been going on for over 15 years and has raised over $6 million for the cause, advancing the goal of Special Olympics New Jersey: to provide free year-round training and competition in 24 Olympic-type sports to more than 18,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The Plunge has helped to fund the creation of new programs, as well as expand existing programs. Charles Reid is team captain for Vernon PBA. He notes that the PBA president Shawn Fitzgerald is also heavily involved with the program. “PBA 285 has been highly successful in raising over $12,000 over the course of four years,” through its Polar Plunge efforts, Reid says. Vernon Police have relied on an RV contributed for the cause by Rayewood RV Centers in Sussex to make the trip down to Seaside Heights as a team. “My Plunge Team greatly appreciates all the generous donations made by the community in the past, considering the tough financial times we are in,” Reid says. “We hope that this year is no different and (people will) donate what (they) can to keep the Special Olympics going strong.”

At the end of the day it really is a great feeling for me being able to give back to the community and families who participate in the Special Olympics. We are asking for the community to again support us in our efforts to raise money for the Special Olympics. Charles Reid Team Captain, Vernon PBA Polar Plunge

How to donate
Stop by the Vernon Police Department and or contact Patrolmen Reid or Fitzgerald at 973-764-6155. Or, go to www.Sonj.org and look up PBA 285 to make a team donation.