Are you brave enough to take a dip into the 30 degree Chesapeake Bay? Every January, over 10,000 courageous plungers head to Maryland’s Sandy Point State Park seeking thrills and chills, all to benefit the 7,782 athletes of Special Olympics Maryland. This is the 23d year for this event. Many police and fire departments form teams to participate in the Maryland State Police (MSP) Polar Bear Plunge on January 26. Participants can retreat to the heated Rams Head Ice Lodge, the perfect place to prepare for the chilly dip, warm-up after the plunge, celebrate with live music and drinks, and enjoy Maryland’s largest winter festival! In addition to the MSP Polar Bear Plunge on January 26, there are other Plunge events. There is a Super Plunge on January 18, where participants plunge once an hour for a full day; a Cool Schools Plunge on January 24; a Police Plunge and a Corporate Plunge on January 25; the MSP Polar Bear Plunge and a PeeWee & Family Plunge on January 26. The funds raised at all of these events, over the three day period, go to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland. The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for persons two years of age and older with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. For more information and to register to participate visit www.plungemd.com