Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) took part in the Maryland State Police Special Olympics Maryland (SOM) 21st Annual Polar Bear Plunge to help raise funds for the organization. The MTA was led by MTA Administrator Paul Comfort as Team BaltimoreLink charged into the cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The team wore BaltimoreLink shirts, winter hats and had BaltimoreLink towels to promote Governor Hogan’s transformative transit plan that will the launch in June. In addition, there was a BaltimoreLink bus on hand to serve as a warming station and to give information to the public about the plan.
“Special Olympics Maryland is a great opportunity for the MTA to demonstrate our commitment to the communities we serve,” said MTA Administrator and CEO Paul Comfort. “It’s also a fun way to get the word out about Governor Hogan’s BaltimoreLink plan to transform transit in the Baltimore area. I’m proud of all the MTA employees who came out today to support such a worthy cause.”
Members of the MTA Police Force are regular participants in the plunge and participated on Friday as a part of Law Enforcement Plunge, complementing the annual summer “Olympic Torch Run” they hold on behalf of SOM to raise funds for the organization.
“The success of this event is due to the generosity of thousands of Marylanders and the support of many civic-minded organizations,” said Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel William Pallozzi. “The support of the Maryland Transit Administration this year is appreciated and is indicative of their constant commitment to serving the people of Maryland.”
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for persons eight years of age and older with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. The group says that the Polar Bear Plunge is the largest of its type in the world, with thousands gathering yearly on the beach at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis to fulfill their pledge to plunge in exchange for donations – or to cheer on those who do.
