Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Polar Plunge events across the state are virtual or held in a modified format.
But that didn’t stop CSEA members from showing their support and raising money to benefit the Special Olympics New York.
In our Western Region, CSEA members got creative while participating in virtual plunges in the Buffalo and Rochester areas.
On recent weekends, often during bone-chilling weather, hearty Western Region members took to their backyards to make snow angels, took dips in unfrozen park and lake waters and doused themselves with buckets of water to show their support for the athletes.
On March 14, Special Olympics New York in Rochester hosted a Facebook live event highlighting individual stories from virtual plunges across the Western New York area.
Jackson
Rochester State Employees Local President Renee Jackson, who served as CSEA team leader for the Rochester Polar Plunge, said members were truly inventive and overcame undeniable challenges this year.
“We regretted for obvious reasons why we couldn’t get together for this year’s plunges — however, CSEA’s commitment to the SONY partnership is resolute,” Jackson said. “The SONY athletes, the volunteers and the entire SONY family still needed our assistance and we wanted to be there for them.”
Erie County Local President Denise Szymura, who is team captain for the Buffalo Polar Plunge, said it’s important to know CSEA members can still donate throughout the year to either the Buffalo Polar Plunge or the Rochester Polar Plunge by visiting http://www.polarplungeny.org and finding your event.
Fishkill Correctional Facility Local President Ed Timberger, who previously served in the U.S. Navy, jumped as a proud CSEA veteran. It was Timberger’s fourth time jumping. While the event was scaled back this year due to COVID, Timberger said he opted to move forward with what he expects is his final plunge as he heads toward retirement later this year.
In our Southern Region, the Fishkill Polar Plunge was held in a modified format. Participants had the option to plunge virtually or take the chilly dip in person at Sharpe Reservation, where organizers allowed small groups to plunge at designated times to comply with social distancing.
Fishkill Correctional Facility Local President Ed Timberger and Ulster Correctional Facility Local President Kathy Pugliese were determined to jump in the water in person. Joining them was Southern Region President Anthony Adamo, who waited on shore with towels. This was Pugliese’s first plunge and Timberger’s fourth.
— Ove Overmyer and Jessica Ladlee
Ulster Correctional Facility Local President Kathy Pugliese participated for the first time in the Fishkill Polar Plunge on Feb. 20 at Sharpe Reservation. She said the water was “not as bad as expected,” though it was still quite cold! Pugliese thanked all those, including her DOCCS co-workers, for their generous support of her fundraising efforts.
Western Region 2nd Vice President Carrie Asenato makes snow angels to support the Rochester Polar Plunge in a socially distanced manner.
