Get Freezin’ For A Reason – Special Olympics MA

Are you interested in providing yourself with a bit of excitement? How about giving back to kick off the holiday season?

Fortunately, this Saturday, you will have the opportunity to do so as the Law Enforcement Torch Run returns with the second annual Poultry Plunge. The event will take place on the shores of Onota Lake to raise money for Special Olympics Massachusetts. Take the short dip in the lake and help make a difference for these amazing athletes by raising donations, which will assist in providing sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

The LETR hosts events throughout the year in support of the athletes, which includes the upcoming "Cop on Top" at the Pittsfield Walmart on Dec. 2. The North Adams Walmart will also be participating in the event on Dec. 2 between 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. in conjunction with the Pittsfield event.

"Our Berkshire LETR group has made our athletes and their families, coaches and caregivers part of our family and vice versa," said the LETR in a release given to Townsquare Media Berkshires. "Our program has proven very successful due to the bonds we have forged with families, local businesses, volunteers, civic organizations, and law enforcement agencies throughout Berkshire County and the state."

Registration for the Poultry Plunge will take place between 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. followed by a safety briefing. The festivities will kick off at 11:00. Plungers are encouraged to wear costumes, which could win you prizes for "Best Dressed" during the Post-Plunge Party. The party will also feature food, music and additional awards.

If you feel like the short plunge in Onota Lake on Saturday will not be enough to satisfy your inner adventurous side, new to the event this year is the Super Plunge - which is taking a dip in the lake once an hour for 24 hours straight. The Super Plunge will begin on Friday at 11:00 a.m. and will continue until Saturday at 11:00 a.m., just as the Poultry Plunge kicks off.

"This event spawned off an idea introduced by the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Torch Run Program led by Chief Elwood Johnson of the Richmond Rhode Island Police Department," says the LETR. "Their Super Plunge takes place in March and they plunge into the icy Atlantic Ocean."

For the LETR, lead in the Berkshires by Pittsfield Police Officers Darren Derby, John Bassi and others, the Super Plunge is certainly a tough ask for 24 hours of hourly plunges. However, it is the message behind it which has a lot more meaning and value.

"This event truly is a challenge to those who are participating, but it pales in comparison to the challenges and hardships that those with intellectual disabilities face each and every day. Our group chooses to fight and stand up for those who sometimes cannot stand up for themselves. We strive to breed awareness about those with intellectual disabilities and to help bridge the gap created so long ago between mainstream society and those who live with intellectual disabilities."

The event is free and open to the public. Plungers under the age of 18 will require a signature from a parent, or guardian. Spectators are welcome, and encouraged, so bring your cameras and enjoy a tremendous event to support our friends at Special Olympics Massachusetts.

To register or support this tremendous event, you can do so by clicking right here.