Fire Department Helps Save Polar Plunge Fundraiser On Long Island

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Forget about the polar plunge, one Long Island town had to think around the ice after Hempstead Harbor froze over this winter, putting a damper on a planned fundraiser.

The water off Port Washington is hiding under 20 inches of ice, making the annual polar bear plunge impossible -- even for so-called polar bears.

Polar spray event in Port Washington, Long Island on March 7, 2015 (Credit: Sophia Hall/WCBS 880)

Instead, as WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported, the organizers of Saturday's event got a little help from the fire department and their trucks to make it all happen.

Hundreds of people in their bathing suits stood in 28-degree weather, getting soaking wet in what became the polar spray to benefit the Special Olympics.

"cold! Extremely cold," said one participant.

"(Was it worth it?) It was totally worth it," said another.

The event raised over $100,000 for the Special Olympics.

Listen to Fire Department Helps Save Polar Plunge Fundraiser On Long Island