On the day after a blustery snowstorm, would you dare to plunge into a 36-degree pool as the “real-feel” air temperature clocked in at 12 degrees?

Nearly 100 hearty and dedicated people did just that last month for Methuen’s first Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics of Massachusetts. As of MethuenLife press time, the event raised $26,000.

“This was a team effort and a great turnout,” said Methuen Police Officer Bandon LaFlamme, who helped organize the event. “This cause brought the community together.”

Participants wore everything from bathing suits and wet suits to a wrestling costume, ballerina tutus and even business attire!

“I don’t like this suit anyways and I was going to throw it out, so this is the last time I’m wearing it!” said City Council Chairman Ron Marsan, donning dress pants and shirt, a tie and sport jacket before making a splash.

Police Officer Gina Scanlon, a veteran “plunger,” is gearing up for her eighth Penguin Plunge for Special Olympics for New Hampshire at Hampton Beach.

She said, “I do these in honor of my mom, who worked with special-needs children for most of her career. She loved the kids and always did what she could to engage herself in Special Olympic events that her school was involved in.”

In addition to Methuen’s 15 police officers and dispatchers and two Lawrence police officers taking part, participation ran the gamut. Methuen High School Resource Officer Mike Farelli dressed as a wrestler, tearing apart a tank top before jumping in the pool. The Methuen High School varsity cheer team donned tutus for their turn. Haverhill High students, the Central Catholic girls gymnastics team, and Methuen High School football and lacrosse players took part as well as Interim Athletic Director Tom Ryan.

The Methuen Police Department, through Officer LaFlamme and Recreation Department Director Steve Angelo, were contacted by Lt. Larry “LJ” Jedrey asking if they’d like to participate in Methuen’s first Polar Plunge into “Bear Force One,” the name of the pool.
Jedrey, of the Everett Police Department, said, “I volunteer on the leadership council for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. We are all police officers who volunteer. We are the Number One volunteer organization to raise money for Special Olympics worldwide. In 42 years, we’ve raised over $1 billion dollars for Special Olympics; this year alone as a group we raised over $1 million dollars.”
Methuen Officer LaFlamme said, “So far, we have raised over $26,000 and that number will most likely hit $30,000 when our fund-raising is finished.”

According to Jedrey, “Usually first events raise a little over $10,000, so this is extraordinary.”

LaFlamme extends a grateful thank-you to event sponsors: EJ Paving, Tufts University, Borislow Insurance, Texas Road House, DeLucca

Fence Company, NESC Credit Union, Mueskes Landscaping, Methuen Exchange Club, Flowers by Jamie Lynn, St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Cataudella Funeral Home, Colizzi Memorials, United Lebanese Cemetery, Methuen DPW Superintendents Local 123, Methuen DPW Employee Association. Heavn’ly Donuts, Aroma Joe’s, Raising Cane’s and Mike Phillips (DJ Mike), as well as Clearwater for their water donation for the pool.

A big shout-out to the Methuen Fire Department, especially Firefighter John McCarthy who, in a dive suit, stayed in the pool for the duration to help the plungers out of the frigid water.