Members of the Watertown Police Department will be taking a chilly dip in February and they invite others to join them to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics of Massachusetts.
Watertown Police Officer Michael Scafidi will be organizing the Polar Plunge, which will take place at Arsenal Yards on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 beginning at 11 a.m.
“There’s plunges going on all across the state and we decided to get onboard and do one here in Watertown. We are going to do it right in Bond Square in Arsenal Yards,” Scafidi said.
Special Olympics will bring its mobile pool for the Polar Plunge, which is like a swimming pool on wheels.
“It is like 2,800 gallons or something like that,” Scafidi said. “It will be February so it will be cold out, and the water — we are going to hook up to the fire hydrant. We’re not warming it up.”
Scafidi hopes to make the day a special occasion.
“We are trying to get some of the businesses around Arsenal Yards to get on board to see what we can do there as far as making it an event,” he said. “So, when you come out to do it you aren’t just jumping in and getting in your car and going home, and have it really be a community event with a cause to support, as well.”
Scafidi is part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which includes departments across Massachusetts and works to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics. Earlier this year he took part in the Special Olympics Summer Games.
“We participated in the Cruiser Convoy to the Summer Games at Harvard. That was cruisers from departments literally across Massachusetts: the Cape to Springfield, up as far as Amesbury,” Scafidi said. “Then it’s really special, they have us stick around throughout the day so the officers are there to cheer the Special Olympic athletes on and present them with medals after their events.”
The goal of the Watertown Polar Plunge is to raise at least $5,000 for Special Olympics. The money will support some local Special Olympic athletes.
“Locally, there’s a program in Belmont that the Belmont Recreation Department runs, it’s the Belmont Watertown SPORT (Special Programs Organized for Recreation Time) program,” Scafidi said. “They have athletic events, they have social events, and the Special Olympics is directly involved with them, helping them.”
The Belmont Watertown SPORT program includes events for both Special Olympians, athletes with intellectual disabilities, and partners who join with Special Olympians in Unified programs that include people with and without intellectual disabilities. Last year, the program included 36 Special Olympic athletes and three partners from Watertown, 13 athletes and three partners from Belmont, and 34 athletes and 16 partners from Waltham.
Those who want to join the Polar Plunge can organize a team, as the Watertown-based Boston Gold Kings semi-pro hockey team has done, or sign up individually. Same-day signups are also available. For people not wanting to jump into the cold water, donations are also welcome, Scafidi said.
For more information and to sign up for the Watertown Polar Plunge, click here.