25th Seaside Polar Bear Plunge: 7,000 Plungers, $2M Raised

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ -- They came from all over New Jersey. New Milford and Totowa and Toms River and dozens of other towns. There were unicorns and dinosaurs and octopi, Vikings and Romans and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

In all, more than 7,000 people, some in costume, some just dressed for cold weather, dashed down the dunes in Seaside Heights on Saturday in the 25th anniversary of the Seaside Heights Polar Bear Plunge to raise funds for the Special Olympics of New Jersey. Officials with the Special Olympics said plungers raised more than $2 million, which goes to support the more than 25,000 athletes.

Air temperatures were about 50 degrees at plunge time with little wind. Rain that fell in the hours leading up to the plunge dissipated. But the water temperature was in the low 40s, turning skin red and chilling plungers through and through.

Plungers had to donate or raise a minimum of $100 to participate. The top individual fundraiser was Scott Paterson, who raised more than $33,000. He was part of the top fundraising team, the Little Silver Crocs, who raised nearly $100,000.

The Seaside Plunge is organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey, the largest grass-roots fundraising organization for Special Olympics New Jersey. Other notable supporters include the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, Wawa, NJ 101.5 and News 12 New Jersey.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run hosts many fundraising events for Special Olympics New Jersey throughout the year, including two other Polar Bear Plunges, the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5k, a Plane Pull, Great Coaster Race, and multiple golf outings, all of which helped to raise more than $3.9 million in the last year.

Take a look at the photos and videos for a glimpse of the fun.

Photos and videos by Karen Wall, Patch staff