Mount Sinai, NY - December 4th, 2014 - Recently, William Floyd School District staff members participated in the “Freezin’ for a Reason” Polar Plunge at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai to benefit the Special Olympics of Brookhaven Town. Teams from William Paca Middle School and Moriches Elementary School braved the icy waters of the Long Island Sound to help support local Special Olympics athletes.

Participants from William Paca Middle School included Wendy Gottlieb, Susan Piraino, Lisa Borak, Jenn Engmann, Teri Busardo, Joanne Fucci, Deb Turchiano, Janella Walker and Donna Lauria (retired), who raised $1,875 in the plunge; Ed Noll and Mike Barba from Moriches Elementary School who raised $470 with support from more than 100 students; Nick Taylor, Chairperson, Committee on Special Education for the middle schools who raised $190; Kat Jumper from Tangier Smith Elementary School; and Gayle Lambert and Don Law from William Floyd High School.

The Special Olympics of New York has more than 64,000 athletes training and competing year round to compete in 22 Olympics-style events. Athletes and families are never charged to participate, therefore, the Special Olympics relies completely on fundraising.

Please check the William Floyd School District flickr page to see more photos of the polar plunge!

Pictured are the William Paca Middle School Arctic Warriors and Ed Noll and Mike Barba from Moriches Elementary School.