Published March 21. 2023 11:25AM
The 10th annual Lehigh Valley Polar Plunge was held at Scott Park in Easton Feb. 18. The event is one of only eight held by the Special Olympics in the state of Pennsylvania. Although the weather was sunny, the temperature outside was only in the 40s. Despite the cool conditions, over 950 brave participants took the plunge into the frigid waters of the Delaware River. The occasion raised over $118,000 from businesses and private donations. The money will go directly to the 2,800 Special Olympics athletes who participate in the Greater Lehigh Valley Pocono Region, which encompasses Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton and Schuylkill counties.
Brave swimmers run full speed ahead into the icy waters of the Delaware. The event consisted of over 950 participants.
The ice cold water splashes up at participants as they enter the Delaware River. Despite weather in the 40s and frigid waters, these participants happily took the plunge for a good cause.
Patty Mckeown of Bethlehem reacts to the cold water as she holds onto her scarecrow hat. This was Patty's 11th year participating in the Polar Plunge.
Charlie Whitehead of Carbon County takes the icy dip. The cold water didn't dampen his enthusiasm to help the Special Olympics.
Dylan Martens lifts and carries Jade Sikely out of the water. Dylan is a student at East Stroudsburg South and Jade is a student at East Stroudsburg North.
From left to right are Crystal Roskilly, Richard Roskilly and Maranda Roskilly. Their team name is Rosko's Icicles and they raised a total of $3,061.
Corporal Bryan Coyle of the Philadelphia Police Department holds the American flag while posing with Danny Lions, a Special Olympics athlete who resides in Easton. On the right is Scott Schubert of Pittsburgh.
Jim Hollar of Phillipsburg, NJ, is dressed as William Wallace from the movie Braveheart. Hollar led Team Caitlyn's 34 members into the icy water. The team raised a total of $10,500.
PRESS PHOTOS BY MARK KIRLIN The ladies of Alpha Sigma Alpha from Moravian College in Bethlehem look down at the cold water before making the plunge. Their team raised $3,178 for the cause. MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE A15.
A participant reacts to the frigid water while being assisted by a members of Team Amazon ABE3.
Staff members from Dieruff HS in Allentown celebrate surviving the polar plunge. Despite the conditions there were many smiling faces during the day.
Three members from the Best in SNOW team are all smiles as they leave the water. Their team raised a total of $4,834.
Members of the United Steelworkers Local 10-00729 in camouflage walk down the hill toward the Delaware River in anticipation of their plunge. The United Steelworkers is North America's largest industrial union.
Pictured is a donation from B Braun. B Braun, along with several other local companies, were sponsors for this year's event.
Two members of the Easton Fire Dept Rescue team look on, as they were on hand in case any of the participants needed help in the water.
