Members of law enforcement braved the cold waters of Alouette Lake on Thursday, Feb. 26, to raise money for Special Olympics BC.
RCMP from Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and Coquitlam, along with staff from Alouette Correctional Centre for Women, the BC Conservation Officer Service, and the Metro Vancouver Transit Police, gathered in Golden Ears Provincial Park for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge.
Local athletes gathered as well to share how Special Olympics BC has shaped their lives – and to take the plunge themselves.
Special Olympics gives children and adults with intellectual disabilities the chance to find joy and success through sports.
Pitt Meadows resident David Stevenson, 30, a Special Olympics athlete for Ridge Meadows said his favourite sports are bowling, power lifting, and Bocce. He has participated in the provincial games in Langley, Vernon, and Kamloops.
Stevenson joined Special Olympics in 2011, and shared why he thinks the organization, that supports the inclusiveness of athletes of all abilities, is great.
He noted the costs are low to register for the Special Olympics BC, and at just $40 for the season, he is able to play as many sports as he likes and the equipment is supplied.
“I can be part of a team where everybody supports me and makes me feel accepted,” he added, noting that he is also proud to represent Ridge Meadows in competitions.
Megan Loessin has been an athlete on the Ridge Meadows team for two years now, where she enjoys playing basketball, power lifting, swimming, and rhythmic gymnastics.
“Special Olympics has given me a place where I feel like I belong. And, it’s so much fun,” she said.
This year will be Coby Dandridge’s first year with Ridge Meadows.
The 23 year old won two gold medals and a bronze medal in swimming in the Special Olympics BC Summer Games held in Prince George in July.
This coming August he will be representing the province at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
“I never knew I had the courage to do any of this. And it allowed having this, going to represent our amazing province, it just made me believe anything is possible,” said the Pitt Meadows athlete who only started with Special Olympics BC in 2020.
As of Thursday afternoon, Feb. 26, $22,058 had been raised by teams taking part in the Ridge Meadows Polar Plunge.
Supt. Adam Gander, officer in charge of the Ridge Meadows RCMP, said it was a great day for a plunge.
Gander noted that across the province 600 plungers have raised more than $350,000 for Special Olympics BC this year to support around 3,000 athletes.
“Today is just a great day having our police officers interact with the athletes and a cool experience, something they will always remember and our officers will always remember,” said Gander.
“Besides the wind, a great day today,” he added.
Staff Sgt. Michelle Luca, who is the officer in charge of the Pitt Meadows RCMP, said she was hoping there would be no rain, and she received her wish. She thanked everyone who turned out to support the cause.
“The turnout is amazing,” she said
Cpl. Amy Wilcott with the Ridge Meadows RCMP, has played an integral part of organizing the local plunge, which has been taking place for the past five years.
She is also very involved in the annual Special Olympics BC Torch Run.
“I just like bring awareness for the athletes,” said Wilcott, noting that over the past two years between the plunge and the torch run, the local team has raised more than $100,000.
The plunge means a lot to the athletes, she noted.
“You see smiles on their faces, so yeah, it’s worth doing,” she said of the plunge.
By the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 26, $22,058 had been raised by teams at the Ridge Meadows Polar Plunge.
The Coquitlam ‘Copsicles’ raised $13,123, Team Maple Ridge raised $3,701, Team Pitt Meadows raised $2,781, Special Olympics Ridge-Meadows raised $1,240, and the Alouette Correctional Centre for Women raised $1,132.
Donation are still being accepted. To donate go to: https://plunge4specialolympics.crowdchange.ca/127586.