| Press Releases | Search DNR | DNR Home |
Sandy Point State Park Receives $15,000 Donation From Special Olympics Of Maryland
Governor O’Malley Applauds State Police and Special Olympics Efforts
ANNAPOLIS, MD —At an unusual “mini-plunge” yesterday, Special Olympics of Maryland presented a $15,000 donation to Sandy Point State Park, an expression of gratitude for the Park’s role in the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge over the past dozen years. The mini-plunge was held to give Baltimore Ravens’ Assistant Coach Rex Ryan – who was unable to plunge in this year’s regular event – an opportunity to go polar.
On Saturday, Jan. 26, Governor Martin O’Malley joined more than 10,000 plungers in entering the Bay from Sandy Point as part of the Maryland State Police’s 12th Annual Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics.
“The long standing commitment of Maryland’s Special Olympics staff and participants as well as the thousands of Maryland State Police officers and citizen volunteers who help those with special needs every day inspires us all,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “I was honored to participate in the plunge last Saturday, both in celebration of their efforts and in remembrance of fallen Maryland Transportation Authority Officer Courtney Brooks.”
Courtney G. Brooks, a 13-year veteran of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, was killed in the line of duty by a hit-and-run driver in Baltimore on New Year’s Eve.
Adam Hays, a Special Olympics athlete, and Tom Schniedwind presented the donation to Maryland Park Service Superintendent Nita Settina at Wednesday’s mini plunge. Ken Brannan of Special Olympics, 98 Rock on-air personality “Stash”, Rick Barton of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Greg Shipley of Maryland State Police joined Ryan in the frigid Chesapeake Bay waters off of Sandy Point in a show of support for Special Olympics.
“We are thankful for this generous donation, which will be used for park maintenance and improvements,” said Settina. “We hope to continue to support this exceptional event for another 12 years – at least.”
Sandy Point State Park does not charge a fee for Special Olympics’ annual use of the grounds for the event.
For more Polar Bear Plunge information, visit www.plungemd.org/.
January 31, 2008 Contact: Kara Turner
410-260-8018 office
katurner@dnr.state.md.usThe Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 280 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov