Special Olympics Polar Plunge raises more than $100k in Kure Beach

KURE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — It may still be a bit too cold to swim in the ocean this time of year, but hundreds of people did it to raise money for charity on Saturday. 

The city of Wilmington held a Polar Plunge to raise money for the city’s Special Olympics program, which offers training and events for 27 different sports across New Hanover County. 

Officials said roughly 1000 people attended the event, with around 500 of them taking the plunge into the frigid waters of Kure Beach. 

Special Olympics Coordinator Brooke DeAmaral said the plunge is meant to symbolize standing in solidarity with athletes. 

“So we think pushing yourself to dunk yourself in the ocean and really push yourself out of your comfort zone really shows the athletes that we really appreciate them and we think it’s a really awesome cause; and it gets your heart pumping,” DeAmaral said. 

The city’s fundraising goal was set at $100,000, but by the end of the day the event had surpassed that goal and raised more than $140,000 for the program.