The law enforcement community has a long history of supporting the Special Olympics in a number of ways, including the Torch Run and Tip-A-Cop fundraisers, and by volunteering their time to support athletes during trainings and competition. On February 3, 2024, several members of the GPD family participated in the North Richland Hills Police Department’s “Polar Plunge” at NRH2O Water Park. In the weeks leading up to the event, the six-person team raised money for Special Olympics North Texas. Then, on a chilly Saturday morning, they joined participants from around the metroplex and took the “PLUNGE”!
The GPD Team took top honors at the event for most funds raised by a team. This was due in no small part to support from our Volunteers In Police Service, also knowns as VIPS. Georjean Sheriff raised $1000. She made the donation in memory of fellow VIPS member John Bush’s grandson, Dylan Blake Rapisand, and in appreciation to Ray Harris for his dedication to service. Ray’s dedication to service showed in his fundraising efforts as well. Harris raised $1350 and won top honors for most funds raised by an individual. Together, the Grapevine Police Department team raised over $2800, and the event raised almost $13,000 in total.
Congratulations to the six-person team for making this a successful event, and thank you to everyone who supported the team, donated, or came out to cheer them on as they took the plunge. Ray Harris, Quenten Goldstein, Kelly Hetler, K’Lyn Mack, Nathan Hildebrandt, and Josie London...you guys are really “cool!”
If you have the chance to help or attend any Special Olympic events, please do so. These athletes are wonderful examples of hard work, dedication and sportsmanship. The Special Olympics athlete oath says it all:
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”