ADC takes the plunge

ADC takes the plunge

February 9, 2010

From left: CO III Wendy Eccles (aka Pajama Sam) from Eyman joined AA III Danielle Hallahan (aka the Love Fairy), Sgt. Kevin Luckenbill (aka The Princess), Sgt. Douglas Abelowitz (aka The Misses) and CO II Maggie Sammons (aka The Phoenix Jean Grey), all from Tucson, arrived at the Patio Pools and Spas in Sierra Vista dressed as their super hero alter-ego and joined 40 other volunteers to test the frigid and ice filled waters.

The Arizona Department of Corrections is again helping raise money and awareness for the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Arizona Special Olympics. Law enforcement agencies around Arizona raise about half a million dollars for Special Olympics each year, making up 60 percent to 70 percent of its total donations each year to help over 9,100 Special Olympics athletes in Arizona. Events like the Polar Plunge, Tip-A-Cop and Cop-on-Top contribute a combined $80,000 a year. Community Resource Officer Tracy Grady, with the Sierra Vista Police Department, organized this year’s first Polar Plunge. Officer Grady expects to raise over $5,000 by the time all the donations are in for this Polar Plunge event.

When the call came out for volunteers to dive in and help, five ADC staff responded. On Jan. 16, CO III Wendy Eccles from ASPC-Eyman joined AA III Danielle Hallahan, Sgt. Kevin Luckenbill, Sgt. Douglas Abelowitz and CO II Maggie Sammons, all from ASPC-Tucson. They arrived at the Patio Pools and Spas in Sierra Vista dressed as their super hero alter ego and joined 40 other volunteers who paid for the privilege to dive into the frigid, ice filled waters.

There are three other Polar Plunge events planned for Arizona, Feb. 27 at the Breakers Water Park in Marana and two on Mar. 6 at the Flagstaff Athletic Club East Outdoor pool in Flagstaff and at Mesa Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa.