Super Plunger Benefit To Be Held At Severna Park Taphouse December 19

For the last 28 years, Marylanders with ice in their veins have willingly and enthusiastically jumped into the Chesapeake Bay, usually in January, to raise money for the Special Olympics Maryland and the 19,000 special athletes in Maryland. A small but passionate group known as Super Plungers will plunge not once, but at least once per hour for 24 hours, each pledging a minimum of $10,000, to help the Polar Bear Plunge 2025 reach its 2025 goal of $4.75 million.

Numerous Severna Park residents are a part of this tremendous effort, including Andy Killen, who will be a Super Plunger for his second year.

Andy Killen

Killen has been plunging since 2009. Although he’s not a Special Olympics athlete — he likes basketball but admits he’s more of a “music kind of guy” — he has seen firsthand how the Special Olympics’ year-round events help to keep everyone included, perform at the best of their ability, and to have fun.

“Everyone should be included, always compete, have fun and enjoy what they are doing!” exclaimed Killen, emphasizing fun over competition results. “If I can help put a smile on someone’s face, no matter what I have to do, I am going to do it.”

The website seatemperature.info lists the average water temperature in the Chesapeake Bay in January as 42.1 degrees Fahrenheit, and the website rhetorically adds, “and therefore is not suitable for comfortable swimming.” Killen doesn’t seem to mind when he plunges shirtless and dunks his head below the water’s surface multiple times per hour while he’s “freezing for a reason.”

“Yes, it’s very cold, and it takes me two days to recover, but it’s also a lot of fun and for a very deserving cause,” he said.

Killen is part of the Chesapeake Chillers team. To help him and his teammates raise the $30,000 they need, a special fundraising event will be held at the Severna Park Taphouse on December 19, from 5:00pm—11:00pm. There is no charge to enter, and a portion of the food and beverage tickets will be donated to Killen’s team. Additionally, there will be 50/50 and basket raffles, and an open mic for anyone who wants to belt out a song or two. Killen is offering a unique gift to potential donors via his YouTube channel (Andy Killen @AndyKillen87).

Donate $300 or more and Killen will rewrite the lyrics to a donor’s favorite family-friendly song (he prefers classic rock) and record his cover of the “new” song, which will include the donor’s name and a shoutout via the video-sharing platform for a truly one-of-a-kind thank you gift.

Abby and Owen Roberts

Of the hundreds of plungers, Severna Park residents Abby and Owen Roberts are Super Plungers in the making. Abby, a Severna Park High School junior, has been plunging for seven years after the opportunity was offered as a school field trip. She has since recruited her entire Severna Park Best Buddies chapter to join her in taking a dip into the frosty waters.

“I think it’s important for people to get involved with Special Olympics because the organization is super fun and positive,” added Abby, a Falcon athlete. “The activities everyone engages in together promotes inclusion and the chance to engage in sports.”

Owen is an eighth-grader at Severna Park Middle School whose first plunge was four years ago as a COVID home-plunge.

“Special Olympics is important to me because growing up, I would always watch my Uncle Kenny participate in them. I loved going to his practices and games to support him and his team,” Owen said about his uncle, Kenny Elgert, an ardent supporter of SPHS athletes who passed away in 2019. “I think it is very important for all athletes to know that anyone can thrive in the sport they love, no matter who they are. I love plunging into the water with everybody and know that I am doing this for a great cause.”

A Helping Hand

Volunteers and raffle donations for the December 19 Taphouse event are needed. Contact Killen at akillen777@yahoo.com if you can help. Donations to Killen’s fundraising goal are also greatly appreciated.

Special categories of plungers include schools, police, first responders, military and corporations, each assigned to a specific date. If you or your organization are interested in learning more about plunging, sponsoring or donating to the Polar Bear Plunge, visit www.plungemd.com. To support Super Plunger Andy Killen or his team Chesapeake Chillers, or another individual plunger, visit bit.ly/superplungersMD.

Severna Park Taphouse is located at 58 West Earleigh Heights Road. The December 19 event is free to attend.