Lewes Polar Bear Plunge set for Feb. 1

The date and time for one of Delaware’s largest fundraising events, the Special Olympics Delaware Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, is 1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 1, presented by Wawa.

The plunge has grown each year since its beginning in 1992 when 78 plungers raised $7,000. Last year’s effort involved 3,252 bears raising more than $725,000. Since its inception, the plunge has raised more than $7.525 million.

At the event, thousands of bears will take the chilly dip into the Atlantic Ocean, raising money for Special Olympics Delaware’s year-round program of sports training, athletic competition and related programs for over 3,700 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Rehoboth Beach hosts a weekend-long Plunge Festival (Jan. 30 to Feb. 1) that includes several Saturday activities: the Pooch Parade (11 a.m. to noon); Rehoboth Beach Convention Center activities (noon to 3 p.m.); 5K Run to the Plunge (1 p.m.); restaurant chili contest (3 to 5 p.m.); and ice-sculpting contest (10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).

Restaurants and retailers throughout the Rehoboth Beach area have teamed up with Special Olympics Delaware to provide registered bears with special discounts and activities throughout the weekend.

“Our polar bears continue to support this fabulous event year after year,” says Ann Grunert, executive director of Special Olympics Delaware. “And based on our increasing numbers each year, they also continue to recruit their friends to join them. This event truly is family-friendly and the perfect way to give back to the community and support such a worthy cause.”

More information on the plunge and all weekend events can be found at www.plungeDE.org.