A team of Federal Way Police Department employees, including family and friends, will be immersing themselves in the frigid waters of the Puget Sound, Saturday, at Owens Beach in Tacoma to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Washington. This is the first year that the department is participating in the Polar Plunge, but there are two officers who are veterans of this event.

Officer Lee Price has participated in a Polar Plunge in the Bering Sea in Alaska. Officer Donovan Heavener has plunged twice in the frozen waters of Wisconsin over the past couple of years. Regardless of location, all participants say there is no way to prepare for the shock of getting into the water in the month of February.

“I am excited that we have a strong showing for this event,” Chief Andy Hwang said. “We have individuals and athletes in our community that will directly benefit from their efforts. Special Olympics Washington supports more than 14,500 athletes each year. However, for every one athlete, there are 13 more waiting for their chance to compete. We want to help provide more athletes opportunities to participate, so we are committed to assisting Special Olympics with their campaign.”

For more information on this event, go to www.specialolympicswashington.org or by contacting team captains Lt. Ed Fadler, Ed.Fadler@cityoffederalway.com, or School Resource Officer Donovan Heavener, Donovan.Heavener@cityoffederalway.com.