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New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge in
Westport to Support Abilis and Individuals with Disabilities
Polar Bear Plunge has participants
“Freezin’ for a Reason” held at Compo Beach in Westport, 11
a.m., Wednesday, January 1
Get ready to make a splash in the January
1, 2025, New Year’s Day Westport Polar Bear
Plunge that is “freezin’ for a reason!” The event is in
support of local nonprofit organization Abilis, a Fairfield
County based nonprofit that serves and supports more than
800 individuals with disabilities and their families. The
Polar Bear Plunge will take place at Westport's Compo
Beach at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Day. This is the
inaugural year for the "Freezin' for a Reason" Polar Bear
Plunge, which is being spearheaded by local Weston residents
Gena and Billy Mann. Participants can register in advance
at abilis.us or
on-site at the event.
Proceeds from the Polar Bear Plunge will
support the renovation of Abilis Gardens & Gifts, a retail
and employee training site that is also a working gift and
flower shop. Abilis Gardens & Gifts is part of Abilis’
Competitive Employment Program and provides valuable job
training and employment opportunities for individuals with
disabilities.
The Mann family have been passionate
advocates for those with disabilities for many years. After
their 22-year-old son Jasper joined the Abilis community,
they saw the immediate positive impact Abilis’ programs and
services had not only for their son, but for his many
friends and house mates acquired through Abilis.
Gena Mann shared, "We've experienced
firsthand how programs like those at Abilis can transform
lives. The renovation of Abilis Gardens & Gifts will create
even more opportunities for meaningful employment and skill
development and we are thrilled to help spearhead a fun
fundraising activity that will go to such good use.”
Brave participants will take the plunge in
sun, rain, sleet or snow. Spectators are also welcome to
cheer on those who take the plunge in the chilly water.
Afterwards, Moonrocks Gourmet Cookies will be on site
offering sweet treats and hot cocoa to warm everyone up
after their big splash.
In addition to raising crucial funds for
Abilis, the Polar Bear Plunge also represents a growing
partnership between Westport and Abilis in supporting the
disability community. Abilis has been in Westport for
several years offering programs and services. In 2024,
Abilis expanded its footprint in the community with the
opening of a new Abilis residential independent living
location, which joins more than 70 other Abilis homes
throughout Fairfield County.
To register for the plunge, make a donation,
or learn more about Abilis, visit abilis.us.
Abilis is a
501c3 non-profit organization that supports more than 800
individuals with disabilities and their families from birth
throughout their lives. Founded in 1951, Abilis is a leader
in providing meaningful support to the community in
Fairfield County, Connecticut, in towns including Darien,
Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford,
Westport and Wilton. The organization has a long-standing
reputation for individualized, high-quality care. For more
information, visit www.abilis.us,
or follow on Facebook @Abilis,
Inc., Instagram @abilis_us
or Twitter @Abilis.
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