Polar Bear Plunge Raises Money, Awareness for Special Olympics Pennsylvania

Polar Bear Plunge
Photo credit Photo Credit: Joe DeStio/KDKA Radio

PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) – Despite the snow that blanketed the Pittsburgh area Tuesday into Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Polar Bear Plunge still went on with a dunk and a splash!

Every New Year’s Day, plungers jump into the Monongahela River to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA).

Pgh Polar Bear Club founder Frank Nelson (left) and police chief Scott Schubert (right) join in the jump in the Mon for charity. More @KDKARadio @PghPoliceChief pic.twitter.com/JyuCHtdNgE

— Joe DeStio (@JoeDeStio) January 1, 2020

Daring participates kicked off 2020 with a dip in the 35-degree water on Wednesday, including Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club founder Frank Nelson, City of Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert, and…Evil Knievel!

Evil Knievel wanna be joins in Polar Bear plunge into Monongahela! Water temp 35 degrees. More @KDKARadio #polarbear pic.twitter.com/gjspRyI2Ov

— Joe DeStio (@JoeDeStio) January 1, 2020

While some people were in and out of the water as quickly as possible, others were willing to stay in longer. One man wearing flippers enjoyed a leisure swim.  

The money raised will support nearly 20,000 athletes that participate in Special Olympics across Pennsylvania.

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