On Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, members of Team Horry braved 45-degree waters as part of the annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge fundraiser.
In the 20th annual event, more than 1,000 community members and partners took to the waves across four plunge timeslots. In total, participants raised more than $150,000 to support Special Olympics South Carlina. Through Special Olympics, local athletes with special needs find new opportunities to learn, grow, and engage.
Marcus Rhodes, current director of the J. Reuben Long Detention Center within Horry County Sheriff's Office, and former officer for Horry County Police Department, said the event gets better every year.
"We started in 2006 and we've been plunging ever since," said Rhodes.
To further support this year's event, Horry County Police Department held a 'boston butts and barbecue sauce' sale at the event location. The team ultimately raised nearly $6,000 through a combination of barbecue butts, sauces, sandwiches, and lunch plates.
Team Horry will once again take the plunge on Jan. 31, 2026. Information of the future event can be found on the Polar Plunge SC website: https://polarplungesc.com/polar-plunge-myrtle-beach/