SCOTLAND, Md. — Participants braved chilly waters on Saturday, Dec. 7, for the annual St. Mary’s Splash, a fundraising event benefiting Special Olympics Maryland, St. Mary’s County. The event, organized by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, aims to support Special Olympics athletes who compete in 14 sports and benefit from the program both on and off the field.
The fundraiser has collected about $11,300 so far, with a goal of reaching $12,000. Donations remain open for those unable to attend. Donations can be made online.
Jeff Hagen, area director for Special Olympics St. Mary’s County, said his favorite part of the event was seeing participants take the plunge.
“Watching everybody go in, the expressions on their faces,” Hagen said. “It was very cold this year. I heard it was in the 40s. But I’m not sure. It could have been even in the 30s, possibly. I’ve been in it a few times when it was in the thirties. Wasn’t too bad. You don’t stay long.”
Hagen also encouraged more community members to join future events.
“It happens every year,” Hagen said. “We do it on the first Saturday of December, and we like to see all the people come out and participate.”
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office expressed its gratitude to sponsors in a Facebook post, writing:
“We’d also like to give a huge shoutout to our sponsors for their incredible support:
- Gold-level sponsors: Home Services & Hilltop Signs and Graphics.
- Silver-level sponsors: Aramark Food Services, Great Mills Trading Post, and Bahr Insurance Group.
- Bronze-level sponsor: Shore United Bank.”
For more information about Special Olympics St. Mary’s County, visit somdsmc.org.
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