We were fortunate to participate in a couple of great local community events in the past week.
Last Saturday, the Special Olympics Texas Polar Plunge at Stewart Beach was very successful. It raised almost double the amount of money it was expecting. This was the annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge in the Texas Gulf area. The group has done others across the U.S. and other places in Texas.
The motto was “Freezin’ for a Reason.” It was a fundraiser for the Special Olympics, and the proceeds support more than 1,700 athletes. Pam Hollaway put the event together. She is the local coordinator of the Special Olympics in the Gulf Coast area.
Volunteers showed up as early as 5 a.m. to unload, set the course and prepare food. There were 99 participants for the event. Many dressed for the occasion; there was a shark, a penguin, a flamingo, some Vikings and the Italian Stallion, Rocky.
There also was a brave group of five Galveston Police Department officers in uniform and at least one sheriff’s deputy. Many people braved the cold water in just swimsuits. Fortunately, because of our mild winter, the water temperature was about 60 degrees. It still was cold, but it could have been much worse. Sometimes the water will dip into the 40s this time of year.
We set floating buoys out about 30 to 35 yards, which is in about chest-deep water, and four committed lifeguards went out in the water. Thanks to Lifeguards Kara Harrison, Amie Hufton, Kris Pompa and Michelle Gomez for braving the cold until all the swimmers made it in safely. Also, thanks to Galveston EMS for putting a unit on standby for this wonderful event. Everyone had a great time, and we’re looking forward to next year.
The second event was a great example of a community pulling together.
Every year, Ball High School Health Sciences teacher Jacquelyn Smith organizes a CPR course for her students. The course is geared toward people looking at getting into a health care career. She feels it’s a good thing for her students to get as many certifications as possible during the course and is even working with the University of Texas Medical Branch to try to organize some hospital observations.
Typically, the athletic trainer has been able to certify the students using Red Cross for about $5 per student. Unfortunately, the Red Cross has raised the cost considerably, and the class couldn’t afford the new rate in the existing budget. She contacted Mayor Joe Jaworski, who in turn contacted some of us in public safety.
Assistant Fire Chief Mike Wisko led the charge. It was a stretch, but we figured out how to do it cheaply using the American Heart Association as an alternative for this year. We borrowed equipment from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston Fire Department and Galveston Police Department, and the Galveston Island Beach Patrol provided instructors free of charge.
It was nice to see everyone collaborating this year to train 150 or so students. This will buy time so she can work out a sustainable solution for the future.
Peter Davis is chief of the Galveston Island Beach Patrol. The views in this column are Davis’ and do not necessarily represent those of the Beach Patrol, Galveston Park Board of Trustees or any other entity. Information on the Beach Patrol is at galvestonbeachpatrol.com.
