People plunge into frigid waters in Beaver Co. to raise money for Special Olympics of Pennsylvania

BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. — About 400 people took a dip in the frigid Beaver River at the Bridgewater Landing Marina Saturday for the second annual Beaver County Polar Plunge.

“The water was freeing. I had a plan of going all the way in, and I just went in and (the water) got up to my neck. I bobbed under and that’s when I really noticed the cold and I was the first one in, so I couldn’t really rush out,” said Jim Litzinger, a Polar Plunge Participant.

Beaver County Special Olympics manager Melissa Niedbala said the Plunge raises money for the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania.

“We’re all a little crazy for doing it, but it’s a lot of fun. It’s a great ego boost. It’s a great team building event,” said Niedbala.

Organizers said they raised more than $50,000 through Saturday’s event.

WPXI