Taking the plunge

Team to brave bay's freezing waters in support of Special Olympics of RI

Daniel Kittredge
Posted 2/12/15

Imagine diving into the freezing waters of Narragansett Bay. Then imagine repeating that plunge 24 times over the course of 24 hours.

From Feb. 28 to March 1, Cranston Police Officer Eric Leclerc …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Taking the plunge

Team to brave bay's freezing waters in support of Special Olympics of RI

Posted

Imagine diving into the freezing waters of Narragansett Bay. Then imagine repeating that plunge 24 times over the course of 24 hours.

From Feb. 28 to March 1, Cranston Police Officer Eric Leclerc and four others will be doing just that at Warwick’s Goddard Memorial State Park to benefit the Special Olympics of Rhode Island (SORI).

“I have been asked several times, ‘Why do you want to stay up for 24 hours and plunge into the bay when the water temperature is at the coldest of the year?’” Leclerc said. “I can assure you that it is not because I like the cold, or the feeling of pins and needles through my body…[it is] to raise money for sports so that everyone is able to play no matter what their disabilities are.”

The “Super Plunge,” being undertaken by Leclerc, Richmond Police Chief Elwood Johnson, Woonsocket Firefighter Rick LaBreche and SORI volunteers Jim Cummings and Bo Mathews, is part of the eighth annual Torch Run Plunge, which will feature scores of participants diving into the bay at noon on Sunday, March 1.

Leclerc and his “Super Plunge” team will begin their day – and night – of diving at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. Their final trip into the bay coincides with the Torch Run Plunge, and they will be joined at that time by the Cranston Police Department Dive Team – of which Leclerc is a member – and other Cranston officers.

Johnson, who has volunteered with SORI for 25 years, started the “Super Plunge” three years ago. He said after taking part in several New Year’s Day polar plunges he was inspired to begin the “Super Plunge” after learning of a similar event held by the Maryland State Police.

“It was kind of like ‘Field of Dreams’ – build it, and they will come,” he said, adding that the 24-hour plunge increases attention and brings awareness of the cause “to another level.”

Last year’s event featured a field of four, including Leclerc, who is the team’s captain. Johnson and Leclerc both said the hope is to grow even more next year, perhaps as much as doubling the size of the team.

“We’re trying to grow the event...next year we’re hoping to at least double the size,” he said.

The goal this year is to raise $40,000 for SORI, topping last year’s $35,000 tally. The team has raised more than $19,000 toward its goal thus far, and Leclerc has raised more than $4,500, according to his page on the fundraising website FirstGiving.

The funding will go to SORI and help offset the cost of its State Summer Games, to be held May 29-31 at the University of Rhode Island.

SORI and its mission are personal for Leclerc, a member of the Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 282nd Combat Communications Squadron who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. His stepdaughter, Sofia, has Down syndrome, and he recalled an upsetting episode at a playground in which other young children would not play with her because of their differences.

“On my way home I knew I had to find an organization that Sofia could belong to and would be accepted, an organization that would treat her like a normal person and not judge her because of her disability,” Leclerc said. “My wife and I did some research and signed Sofia up with SORI. She is now a member of the Lincoln North Stars and competes in basketball, track and field, golf and bowling.”

Leclerc has also become involved in SORI, coaching basketball, track and field and bowling. He said the experience is one that changes young people’s lives.

“Most of these kids, they lead sheltered lives…a lot of the athletes in the program, they don’t have means to go out,” he said. “It gives them a chance to socialize, gives them a sense of accomplishment.”

Leclerc said SORI also helps promote tolerance and understanding and address issues of bullying by involving children without disabilities.

“Seeing first-hand all the efforts SORI has made in promoting equality and acceptance for these athletes has given me the stamina and the ambition to do the 24-hour ice cold plunge,” he said.

Johnson, too, said he has been moved by his experience with SORI.

“I’ve been so inspired by what I’ve seen and witnessed first-hand,” he said. “The families become intertwined, and it’s just a great program.”

A 12-year veteran of the Cranston department, Leclerc said he has received a great deal of support for the “Super Plunge” from his peers and International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 301.

“My police department and my union strongly support me on this,” he said.

Those wishing to support Leclerc and the “Super Plunge” may visit his fundraising page, found at www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/EricLeclerc/3rd-annual-super-plunge, or send a check payable to the Special Olympics Rhode Island to him by mail at 23 Reynolds Ave., North Providence, RI 02911.

Registration for the Torch Run Plunge begins at 10 a.m. on March 1, and the festivities will include live music, a “plunger costume” competition and an after-party. For more information visit www.specialolympicsri.org.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here