Summer and the beach. We can’t wait for the feel of the warm sun on our faces, the sand between our toes, and the waves washing over us. You may think twice, though, when you have to jump into water that is so cold it takes your breath away. That’s exactly what Sheriff’s deputies Phil Doyle, Brian Wancik and Sureyya Kanli (Team Fairfax Sheriffs) did on Saturday, February 5 for the Polar Plunge Winter Festival in Virginia Beach. They “plunged” into the icy Atlantic waters to raise money for Special Olympics Virginia
The Polar Plunge is the largest Special Olympics Virginia fundraiser and draws more than 10,000 people. Team Fairfax Sheriffs has raised over $2200 for this worthy cause.
Fairfax Sheriff’s deputies also participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, the Dulles Day Plane Pull and the “celebrity waiter” event. The Torch Run brings together over 3,000 law enforcement officers from across Virginia to carry the “Flame of Hope” more than 1,900 miles to kick off the Special Olympics Summer Games in Richmond.
The Dulles Day Plane Pull, held at Dulles International Airport, is a fun competition to see which 25-member team can pull a 164,000 pound cargo jet 12 feet the fastest. The Sheriff’s Office has sponsored a team of deputies for the past 18 years.
For the “celebrity waiter” event, Sheriff’s deputies volunteer as waiters at a local Red Robin restaurant. All of their lunch and dinner tips go directly to Special Olympics Virginia.
Special Olympics Virginia is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Virginia touches the lives of more than 40,000 athletes and volunteers in every city and county across the Commonwealth.
The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office is proud to support these athletes and their families.