A huge boost by Maryland millionaire ‘Bunky’ Bartlett pushed the total amount raised for Special Olympics Maryland to more than $3 million on Saturday during the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge.
Bunky, who won the Mega Millions lottery jackpot last year, started off the day vowing to donate $100,000, but before long he upped his donation to a cool million.
An estimated 10,000 people participated the 12th annual plunge, and even more were on hand to watch the event, which has grown to the national stage.
The beach Sandy Point State Park was crowded like a summer day, but it was reportedly 34 degrees out.
The crowd attracted all walks of life, so to speak, from those in freakish consumes and tiny bikinis, to Gov. O’Malley and former Gov. Ehrlich.
Josh Spiegel from 98 Rock, is now the Guinness World Record holder for the most consecutive hugs, he broke the record Saturday during a “hugapalooza” in which he hugged 1,000 people in under an hour.
See attached slideshow and video for footage from the scene.