- September 21, 2024
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Members of the Flagler Palm Coast High School SGA participate in the Polar Plunge. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler Beach Fire Department firefighter Timothy Conroy leads the pack of firefighters to the shore at the Polar Plunge. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler County Sheriff's Office employees and friends dress as characters from Toy Story — with the green Army men being Mario Saponaro, Blaine Gazzoli and Dominik Martinez. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler County Special Olympic athletes Joe Ramirez and Chris Seitz. Photo by Paige Wilson
The Flagler Beach firefighters get hosed down in a playful routine for the costume contest judges. Photo by Paige Wilson
FCSO PAL Director Nicole Quintieri and Program Coordinator Kerri Henderson show their costume spirit. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler Palm Coast High School Student Government Association members Isabella Scarcalla, Ashley Puentes, Tessa Massebean, Alyssa Santore, Shelby Beck and Meghan Pollock. The group won Most School Spirit. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler Beach resident Dalton Boice received recognition for participating in all five Flagler Beach Polar Plunge events. Photo by Paige Wilson
FCSO Sheriff Rick Staly and deputy Nicholas Champion arrive at the Polar Plunge as Woody and Buzz Lightyear with over a dozen other employees — all dressed as Toy Story characters. Photo by Paige Wilson
The Flagler Beach Fire Department won the costume contest in the first responder category. Photo by Paige Wilson
First place for King of the Ocean went to Jack Fraise (left), who stands with runner-up Steve Williams. Photo by Paige Wilson
PAL Program Coordinator Kerri Henderson with the kids' costume contest winner, Jenesis Gamara. Photo by Paige Wilson
Though the water wasn’t at polar temperatures, about 100 brave souls raced down the Flagler Beach shore into the waves on the chilly morning of Saturday, Feb. 2, for the fifth-annual Polar Plunge.
The event, which is coordinated by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Police Athletic League, benefits Special Olympics Florida - Flagler County. Two special olympics athletes were present for the plunge: Joe Ramirez and Chris Seitz.
Joe’s mother, D Ramirez, a Flagler Beach Police officer, was cold after her plunge, but she didn’t mind.
“I do it every year whether I want to or not,” she said. “It’s for my boy.”
To add to the event’s festivities, participates were encouraged to dress up in costumes to win a trophy.
“Wow, you all really brought it this year,” PAL Program Coordinator Kerri Henderson said to a crowd of hula dancers, Toy Story characters and others in costume, who were gathered at Veterans Park for the plunge.
Kids: Jenesis Gamara, as Bat Girl
Adult: Dalton Boice, as a magician
Best Team: FCSO Explorer Group, as Sherlock Gnomes
Most School Spirit: Flagler Palm Coast High School Student Government Association, dress in different holiday garb
King of the Ocean: Jack Fraise
First Responders: Flagler Beach Fire Department, Hawaiian hula theme
Even though, FCSO's Toy Story attire didn't beat the Flagler Beach firefighters' hula dancer garb, Sheriff Rick Staly still maintained a positive spirit, as he said it was all for a great cause.
"It's hard to compete with that physique," Staly joked.
Visit https://specialolympicsflorida.org/flagler/.
