Arlington Bracing For Polar Plunge To Fight Polio

ARLINGTON, MA — The town’s rotary club announced its sixth annual Polar Plunge will take place on Saturday, Jan. 31 in the parking lot at St. Camillus Parish on 1185 Concord Turnpike.

The event is meant to raise money for the effort in eradicating polio through the End Polio Now initiative. Throughout its five-year history, the event has raised more than $10,000. All donations are matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. According to the rotary club, the foundation’s contributions have tripled the total funds raised to approximately $30,000.

Plungers are put in a cold dunk tank. Rotary Club President Bill Hayner has taken the plunge each year since its inception. It was created in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic when the rotary’s district event could not be held in 2020. In the past two years, both the Arlington police and fire departments have formed teams that are each competing to raise the most money ahead of the freezing swim they will have to take at the end of the month. Police officers that took their turn in the tank were Captain Brendan Kiernan, Lieutenant Mike Flynn, Officer Bryan White, and Captain Richard Flynn. Meanwhile, Fire Chief Kevin Kelley and Captain Martin Conroy beat the heat as they endured the freezing waters. Both departments are gearing up for their second year.

“This event not only supports a critical cause but also brings together our community in a spirited and fun way. Whether you're plunging into the icy waters or cheering from the sidelines, your participation matters greatly,” the police department said in a statement.

End Polio Now is a worldwide campaign led by Rotary International and the Gates Foundation. Donations to any of the Arlington teams taking part in this year’s plunge can be made online.

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