METHUEN — Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara is pleased to report that the Methuen Police Department participated this week in a Polar Plunge event to benefit Special Olympics of Massachusetts and came out as the top fundraising team.
On Monday, Jan. 20, members of the Methuen community participated in a Polar Plunge at Nicholson Stadium. The overall event raised $26,892 for Special Olympics of Massachusetts.
A total of 15 Methuen Police officers took part in the plunge, in which participants leaped into a pool of water even though temperatures at the time were just 19 degrees. While a number of community groups participated in the event as teams, the Methuen Police Department team was the event’s top team fundraiser, raising $5,437 for Special Olympics of Massachusetts.
“I’m proud of our officers for braving the frigid cold and taking the Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics of Massachusetts,” said Chief McNamara.
The Methuen Police Department would like to offer a special thank you to several individuals and groups who made the event possible, including the Methuen Fire Department, which provided standby emergency support and a diver who was in the tank as community members took the plunge. The Methuen Police Department would also like to thank Methuen Recreation Director Stephen Angelo, Clearwater Transport, Aroma Joe’s Holy Family Hospital franchise, Heavenly Donuts Pelham Street franchise, DJ Mike Phillips, City Council Chairman Ronald Marsan — who took the plunge while dressed in a suit — Methuen Recreation Department employees and the volunteers who assisted the Special Olympics of Massachusetts.
“I would like to thank Recreation Director Steve Angelo in particular. Steve partnered with MPD on this event, found a location, ensured proper snow removal, and ensured we had everything we needed to make this a reality,” said Chief McNamara. “Without Steve, this event could not have happened.”
Methuen Police Department plungers were Lt. James Gunter, Officer Mark Aiello, Officer Brandon Laflamme, Officer Gina Scanlon, Officer Aaron Little , Sgt. John Delano, Officer Sawyer Bilich, Dispatcher Yohanna Almengo, Lt. Kevin Dzioba, Officer Kara McMenamon, Sgt. Laurie Borrelli, Sgt. Matt Tarness, Detective Tracey Noonan, Officer Walter Torres, Officer Patrick Waldron, Officer Mike Farelli and Special Officer Scott Mendes.
About the Special Olympics of Massachusetts Polar Plunge:
The Polar Plunge is a series of events where people go to the extreme to support over 14,000 Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes by committing to raise at least $100 before plunging into a pool of cold water provided by Special Olympics of Massachusetts. Every dollar raised directly supports year-round sports training and competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities in Massachusetts.
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