Taking the plunge

SPARTA — Deny Gallagher, a senior at Veritas Christian Academy in Sparta, has participated in the NJ Polar Bear Plunge for the last two years. The event raises funds for the Special Olympics. The goal of Special Olympics New Jersey is to provide free year-round training and competition in 24 Olympic-type sports to more than 22,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The plunge has helped to fund the creation of new programs, as well as expand existing programs. The annual Seaside Heights Plunge, scheduled for Feb. 25, has grown to more than 5,000 participants who travel from as far as California to be a part of the fun. Deny is a member of the CAT Crew, which was started by Keli Williams-Tobin, originally from Vernon. The group is named in honor of her son, Colin, who was born with Down Syndrome. Today, there are almost 40 members of the CAT Crew that participate in the yearly event. About one third of them are from Sussex County. To sponsor Deny in the plunge, visit www.njpolarplunge.org and follow the link to Sponsor a Plunger and search for Deny Gallagher. To find out more about Veritas Christian Academy, visit their upcoming open houses on Feb. 6 or March 5, from 7-9 p.m. at 385 Houses Corner Rd. in Sparta.