MichiganState Police Host 2023 Polar Plunge

Saturday afternoon, the Michigan State Police hosted this year’s annual Polar Plunge at the Sand Bar to raise money for the Special Olympics and the athletes in the area. Ashley Simpson, Specialist Trooper for the Michigan State Police, said, “Today we held the Alpena for funds for the Special Olympics here at the sandbar. We are here to help bring awareness to those athletes that participate in the summer and winter games.” She said, “Also the fundraiser to raise the money to support them in all aspects, from registration, to lodging, to meals, and being able to participate in the summer and winter games.”

A lot of people attended the plunge as they looked out from the packed deck outside the Sand Bar and even made their way out onto the ice. With all the people showing up, the fund raising effort got a boost. Simpson said, “This morning before the event started, before we did all our raffles and all the cash that came in, we had already beat our goal of $20,000.” She said, “So online we were at $21,600, and like I said, we sold raffle tickets today with 50–50 that is pushing $3000, so we’re well above that number.”

The jumpers each had a specific goal to reach, so they could jump in the Polar Plunge, and this year’s top earner for the fundraiser raised over $8500. George Snedden, Polar Plunge Jumper and Top Fundraise Earner, said, “All you have to do is raise up to $100 to be able to take the plunge for the Special Olympics. But anything over that would help with prizes and goals that they set for the event and things like that.”