By Tavris Parker, CAPP

Recently my city welcomed back the Annual Polar Plunge. The Polar Plunge is a fundraising event for more than 23,000 athletes who participate in the Special Olympics. After a year off due to COVID, locals were eager to show support for this cause.

The Plunge event included a 1- and 4-mile run, costume contest, parade, music, and the best part, the plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. Temperature for the day was a high of 39 degrees. With an abundance of sunshine, this made for a perfect day for this event.

This year the fundraising event raised over $1 million for the cause.

Our parking staff was as eager for the return as the locals. We were onsite early to assist with the 1- and 4- mile runs and provide information as needed. We were able to provide great customer service, while also enjoying the event’s costume contest and viewing the exciting plunge into the cold Atlantic Ocean.

Seeing the Polar Plunges’ great turn out and participation was awesome to see. Good vibes to start the year off! Click here to check out some great photo of the event.

Tavris Parker, CAPP, is parking operations manager for the City of Virginia Beach.