Polar Plunge In Woodbridge Raises $91,000 For Special Olympics

WOODBRIDGE, VA — The 2020 Polar Plunge in Woodbridge raised $91,000 Saturday as more than 300 people took a dip in the chilly Potomac River to raise money for the Special Olympics. This year's plunge, held for the first time at Leesylvania State Park, raised about $11,000 more than last year's charity event.

The event, in its 18th year, is a joint effort between the Prince William County Police Department and the Special Olympics Virginia. Members of several law enforcement agencies in the region participated in the event, either by taking the plunge or by volunteering.

Joining members of the Prince William County Police Department in taking the plunge into the Potomac were members from the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office, the Town of Haymarket Police Department, the City of Manassas Park Police Department, the City of Manassas Police Department, the Fairfax County Police Department, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office and the Arlington County Police Department.

The event attracted several sponsors, including Wawa and Mission BBQ, which provided food to the event's volunteers. The money raised from the event goes to help Special Olympics Virginia provide year-round sports training, competition, leadership opportunities, and health services to more than 25,000 athletes of all abilities.

The event was held at Leesylvania State Park this year because it had outgrown a waterfront area down the river at Tim's Rivershore Restaurant and Crabhouse in Dumfries. The 2019 event included about 200 participants and raised about $80,000 for the Special Olympics Virginia.