Every hour for 24 hours, officers to take ocean plunge, supporting Special Olympics Maine

OGUNQUIT, Maine – We’ve all heard about the New Year’s Day events where folks run into the icy Atlantic Ocean for a good cause.

Well think about this: Once every hour for 24 hours – March 21 to 22 – law enforcement officers from various departments will be taking the ocean plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maine.

Yes, that’s right. Every hour on the hour for 24 hours law enforcement officers will run into the ocean in Ogunquit and fully submerge. In March. In case you wondered, officers figure the ocean temperature will be about 35 F.

York County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Matthew Cummer is among those taking part in this, the second year of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Super Plunge.

The event will be held at the Norseman Resort in Ogunquit. Cummer said the resort is  donating rooms where plungers can warm up between dips.

He noted that in 2025, 15 law enforcement officers raised nearly $80,000 for Special Olympics Maine in the inaugural event.

“This year, I'll be plunging alongside officers from Kittery, Lewiston, Ogunquit, York, Eliot, and several other departments,” said Cummer. “We're aiming to build on that momentum and make an even bigger impact!”

Cummer said he has  been involved with Special Olympics since high school, when his father, Sgt. Brian Cummer of Kittery Police, first introduced  him to the York County games.

He has been involved in the torch run, local and Orono summer games, has hosted  fundraisers, coordinated the torch run, bicycled 53 miles to support the effort, and more.

“What keeps me coming back is the athletes,” said Cummer. “Watching them train so hard for just a few events a year is incredible, and there's nothing better than placing a medal around their neck after all that effort. The way they love law enforcement unconditionally – and remember you year after year – has led to some really meaningful, long-term relationships. It is truly special.”

Cummer has set a personal fundraising goal of $2,500. All of the money raised through the Law Enforcement Torch Run Super Plunge will go directly to programs benefitting 5,000 athletes across Maine.

More about the event and how to contribute is here: Matthew Cummer's fundraising page for Special Olympics Maine