OGUNQUIT — Twenty-four plunges. Twenty-four hours.

A group of law enforcement officers and community members ran into the ocean at Ogunquit Beach every hour, on the hour, for a full day this weekend, braving the wet weather and freezing waves. The excruciating task benefited Special Olympics Maine, an organization near and dear to the participants.

Special Olympics Maine facilitates sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities, serving more than 5,000 athletes statewide.

Though Special Olympics Maine holds cold-water dips every year, this weekend’s “super plunge” was the first of its kind in the state. The super plunge enlisted 15 polar plungers — 12 members of Maine police departments — to take 24 dips and raise thousands for Special Olympics. By Sunday morning, the group had already raised more than $78,000 collectively.

“It’s tremendous to see the support; it’s tremendous to see 15 individuals come out and take the plunge, all of the 24 hours,” said Special Olympics Maine President and CEO Ian Frank.

Sgt. Jim Cook of the Windham Police Department reacts after dipping into the Atlantic Ocean during the Maine Law Enforcement Super Plunge in Ogunquit on Saturday. Cook’s fiancée Catherine McAllister is at right. Daryn Slover/Portland Press Herald

To put on the event, Special Olympics Maine partnered with Law Enforcement Torch Run, an organization of law enforcement volunteers that raises funds for Special Olympics programming.

“This is the single largest fundraiser in the history of the (Law Enforcement Torch Run) for the state of Maine,” said Lewiston Police Detective Craig Johnson, one of the organizers. “Every penny of that goes to the athletes, to the athlete experience.”

Participants were in high spirits during their second plunge on Saturday at 1 p.m. With a long night ahead, they were thankful to Ogunquit’s Norseman Resort for providing warm rooms to rest in between plunges.

“It’s always horribly cold, but then you get this very strange, hot feeling a few seconds after you get out of the water, just that adrenaline,” said participant and Ogunquit Deputy Police Chief Ashley Wade.

Special Olympics athlete Megan Rosenberg, of Brunswick — who competes in track and field, soccer, basketball, downhill skiing and golf — was in the audience on the shore Saturday.

Ogunquit Chief of Police John Lizanecz, right, and Erica Rock of the Lewiston Police Department dash from the Norseman Resort to the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday during the Maine Law Enforcement Super Plunge in Ogunquit. Daryn Slover/Portland Press Herald

“It’s pretty fun to watch them jump in the ocean for all of us athletes, I think it’s really great,” said Rosenberg, who is a member of the Special Olympics Maine executive board. “And it puts a smile on my face as well.”

Rosenberg has gotten into the chilly water herself at the annual “lobster dip,” a Special Olympics fundraiser held on New Year’s Day in Old Orchard Beach.

Megan Rosenberg’s mom, Maryellen Rosenberg, said the practice of plunging into the cold water for a good cause takes “guts and determination.”

“To do this for 24 hours, and to jump in, it’s not only bravery, but it shows that they’re willing to do something for the good of someone else,” Maryellen Rosenberg said.

Frank, of Special Olympics Maine, said that there are lots of ways for people to get involved with Special Olympics Maine — from raising money to cheering on athletes at their games and events.

“We’ve got almost 75 events statewide, so coming out and volunteering, we have fundraisers happening year-round as well, so whether that’s a plunge, or a golf tournament, or a local bake sale,” Frank said. “There’s also opportunities to be a coach, be a unified partner with our athletes, so we encourage you to come out and participate.”

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