Woonsocket Firefighter Takes a SUPER PLUNGE for His Daughter

Photo: (l-r) Jim Cummings, Richmond Police Chief Elwood Johnson, Bo Mathews, Eric Leclerc of Cranston Police Department, and Rick LaBreche of Woonsocket Fire Department

Woonsocket firefighter Rich LaBreche and four other men will take their first plunge into freezing waters for the SUPER PLUNGE around 1 p.m. Saturday.

After the five men take the first plunge, they will jump into the water once an hour until they hit the 24-hour mark.

This is the third-annual SUPER PLUNGE, which takes a regular “polar plunge” to an extreme level: participants jump into the ocean not once, but 24 times.

The venue’s location has changed. The SUPER PLUNGE is now taking place at Salty Brine Beach in Narragansett down by Port of Galilee this weekend. The event begins at 1 p.m. Saturday and will last until 2 p.m. Sunday.

This feat isn’t just for the bragging rights. The participants are all looking to raise funds for Special Olympics Rhode Island.

LaBreche is nervous, yet excited that his efforts will support Special Olympics Rhode Island, which is an organization close to his heart.

His youngest daughter Sarah, 12, and his niece Elizabeth, 14, are both Special Olympics athletes with the Lincoln North Stars.

“To see how courageous these athletes are, no matter what their disability, and to see them compete and do their absolute best at every event makes it all worthwhile,” he said.

• Read more on LaBreche’s story find out how to donate.

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.

Johnson has been doing it every year since and LaBreche decided to join the cause in 2015.

“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s reaction to me coming out of the water not just once, but 24 times,” LaBreche said.

Officer Eric Leclerc of the Cranston Police Department and longtime Special Olympics Rhode Island volunteers Bo Matthews and Jim Cummings will also take the plunge.

This year’s SUPER PLUNGE has raised thousands of dollars from donations and sponsorships:

• Cummings has raised $7,210
• Johnson has raised $6,870
• Leclerc has raised $5,823
• LaBreche has raised $5,050
• Matthews has raised $4,210

*These totals were as of Monday, March 16.

Anyone who isn’t looking to be as extreme as these five men can participate in the Torch Run Plunge, which will take place at noon Sunday at the same location as the SUPER Plunge.

The SUPER PLUNGE and Torch Run Plunge are meant to increase awareness and funding for theTorch Run where members of Rhode Island law enforcement pass a torch across the entire state in an effort to raise money for Special Olympics Rhode Island. The Torch Run raised over $180,000 for Special Olympics RI in 2014.

LaBreche will run part of the Torch Run leg from Woonsocket Police Department to Cumberland, where he will hand off to Cumberland Police and Fire. Eventually, the torch will make its way to the Rhode Island State House and to the University of Rhode Island, which is where the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics Rhode Island State Summer Games will take place on Friday, May 29.

• Learn more about the Torch Run here.

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