This Sunday, almost 1,000 volunteers will jump into the icy waters of Hamburg Town Beach during the Law Enforcement's Torch Run Event for Special Olympics New York, the Polar Plunge.
Special Olympics New York helps to provide statewide sports training throughout the year to over 47,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities for no cost.
For the first time, the University at Buffalo will participate in the Polar Plunge, recruiting faculty, staff and student volunteers to raise money and take the dive into the winter waters as a plunge team.
'I thought it would be a new experience to try out and these Olympics are really inspiring,' said Raphael Parra, a freshman civil engineering major.
Participants see the potential and need for the continuous growth of the organization.
'It was bigger than the law enforcement. They were reaching out to different companies and agencies, and at that point, I decided to open it up to the university,' said Officer Mark Gates of the University Police Department, and head captain of UB's Polar Plunge team.
According to Gates, with the plunge last winter, Buffalo State's Student Council for Exceptional Children raised over $7,000 for Special Olympics New York, but team UB hopes to take the No. 1 spot this year with 87 volunteers and a goal of $10,000.
The team has yet to reach their initial goal of raising $4,885, but Gates has high hopes that their volunteers will continue to collect donations up until the day of the plunge at 12 p.m.
'I'm hoping for a strong push the last day of the plunge, and I don't think people would have signed up to do the plunge if they weren't going to donate,' Gates said.
With more than 25,000 volunteers, Special Olympics creates an environment for competitive athletics, giving its participants opportunities to improve and develop their physical fitness skills while gaining the necessary courage to compete in over 22 Olympic-style sports.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the Special Olympics' largest grassroots fundraiser, creating awareness and internationally raising millions of dollars for athletes involved in the organization.
During the Torch Run event in 2008, 85,000 law enforcement officers across 35 nations helped to raise money and carry the 'Flame of Hope' to the opening ceremonies of the competitions.
Last year, New York LETR raised over $1 million for Special Olympics from various fundraisers, including their annual WNY Polar Plunge.
This year, there are roughly 800 volunteers registered for the plunge throughout the community, but Gates estimates another 100 will join in on the fun.
'As a police officer, we're always looking for a way to give back to the community … so to get involved in a huge event like this not only promotes our police department, but also UB,' Gates said.
For those who have registered in advance to be apart of the team, there is transportation from North Campus that will leave at 8:30 a.m. for the plunge, and will return back to campus around 1:30 p.m.
Volunteers who haven't signed up in advance are encouraged to dress in UB colors, collect donations and meet the rest of the team at Hamburg Beach at 9 a.m. for check-in before the refreshing swim.
'I'm proud and honored to be the captain, and it hasn't been much work recruiting people … it's for a great cause,' Gates said.
For more information about the Polar Plunge, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org, or contact Gates at mgtates@buffalo.edu to join the hundreds who are freezing for a reason.
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