Written By Brian Lockhart

While the annual police Polar Plunge took on a different format this year, the goal was still the same.

The plunge is part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run program that raises funds for the Special Olympics.

The plunge usually takes place with groups of willing victims and a lot of cheering spectators who gather around a freezing pool in the pavilion at Fiddle Park in February. If you just like to watch the event, there's still a good chance you're going to gets splashed when costumed participants take the plunge then beat a hasty retreat when they are submerged in near freezing water.

Given the current circumstances and restrictions on gatherings, the Polar Plunge had to take a different approach to this year's event.

“In 2021, due to the pandemic we brought the Polar Plunge online,” explained local event organizer, OPP Constable Jeff McClean. “We did a completely virtual plunge across the province where each individual was able to sign up either as a group or an individual and raise money for the cause rather than doing specific events around the province. People were using streams, pools, bathtubs, GT snow-racers, you name it. It is the Law Enforcement Torch Run that presents the Polar Plunge. My goal this year was to raise $1,000. With the help of Flato Developments we raised over $5,300. The Polar Plunge goal was to raise $100,000 across the province and they raised over $361,000.”

Flato Developments heard about the local event and made a donation of $5,000 to the cause.

Flato representative, Joe Medeiros, said they heard about the plunge and thought it was a worthy cause to contribute to.

“Local Shelburne councillor, Kyle Fegan, connected Constable McClean to Shakir, [Rehmatullah, president of Flato Developments] and Mr. Rehmatullah was the one that decided on the donation,” Mr. Medeiros explained. “Mr. Rehmatullah said we'll support this event and here we are.”

Flato Developments has made contributions to other local causes and has been known to be quite generous to charitable organizations in the communities where they are working.

“Any organization in the Shelburne community that needs assistance, we're here to help,” Mr. Medeiros said.

Mr. Medeiros made the cheque presentation to Constable McClean at the Dufferin detachment of the OPP.