Woonsocket Firefighter Raises $7K for Special Olympics Rhode Island

Photo 1: Rich LaBreche and his daughter Sarah

Photo 2: Rich LaBreche and his niece Lizzy

Now that Woonsocket firefighter Rich LaBreche has recovered from jumping into the ocean 24 times in one day, he is already planning next year’s SUPER PLUNGE event.

“It was an unbelievable experience for me,” he said. “It was one of the proudest moments of my life besides my kids being born.”

The SUPER PLUNGE began in 2013 when Richmond Police Chief Elwood Johnson documented himself on his iPhone jumping into the waters every hour for 24 hours.

LaBreche joined Johnson, officer Eric Leclerc of the Cranston Police Department and longtime Special Olympics Rhode Island volunteers Bo Matthews and Jim Cummings in the SUPER PLUNGE on Saturday, March 21.

LaBreche decided to take the plunge to support Special Olympics Rhode Island, an organization that is very personal to him. His youngest daughter Sarah, 12, and his niece Elizabeth, 14, are both Special Olympics athletes with the Lincoln North Stars.

WATCH: LaBreche takes his 24th and final plunge of the SUPER PLUNGE.

LaBreche raised about $7,000 in funds. He exceeded his fundraising goal of $5,000 thanks to his generous friends, family and corporate sponsors.

• Read more: Woonsocket Firefighter Takes a SUPER PLUNGE for His Daughter

LeBreche and the four other SUPER PLUNGERS raised about $44,000 from the event.

Special Olympics Rhode Island received over $100,0000 in funds that weekend from the SUPER PLUNGE and the Torch Run Plunge. The Torch Run Plunge was held after the SUPER PLUNGE.

This was LaBreche’s first SUPER PLUNGE, but certainly not his last. “I’m in this for as long as I can possibly do this,” he said.

The SUPER PLUNGERS are already planning next year’s event and are looking for more plungers to join the cause. They’re looking for people whose heart is in the right place for Special Olympics Rhode Island.

It was a physically demanding experience, but it was completely worth it. “I slept like a baby Sunday night, that’s for sure,” LaBreche said.