Bernon Casey (left) disguised as Uncle Sam makes the plunge for Special Olympics.

The annual ‘Polar Plunge’ at Hurricane City Park produced $22,000 for the support of the Special Olympics program and on Saturday, February 3. John Corbett, Special Olympics WV Head, reported that 112 brave souls put fear aside and jumped into a pool filled with water extracted from the Hurricane Reservoir. Corbett stated that the event generates revenue needed for Special Olympic athletes to compete in the Winter Games which are held in January at Canaan Valley State Park, the Summer Games which are held in Charleston during June, and in Cheering Competition at WVU in Morgantown in March.

Corbett is pleased to announce that Shawn Bayliss earned the top fundraiser title by soliciting more than $3,300 from supporters who enjoy making their favorite attorney become really cool. Corbett said that Bayliss has been the top fundraiser in each and every Hurricane Polar Plunge. Hurricane has been the home to a February Polar Plunge for the last seven years.The event also produced a costumed plunger winner.

The chilled plungers and supporters gathered at the Fireside Grille after the event to warm up and enjoy the Fireside offerings. The costume contest winner was Uncle Sam aka Bernon Casey.