Rumford Special Olympian Michael Bullock will continue to do something pretty remarkable next weekend when he once again participates in the Special Olympics of Rhode Island's annual 24-hour "Torch Run Super Plunge" beginning at 1 p.m. Friday, March 23, and concluding at noon Saturday, March 24, at Salty Brine State Beach in Narragansett.

Bullock joins 13 other individuals expected to undertake the arduous task of plunging into the still very chilly Atlantic Ocean waters once every hour to raise crucial funds and awareness for other Special Olympics Rhode Island athletes.

Elwood Johnson, Chief of Police for the Richmond Police Department, started 24-hour plunge in 2013 after being inspired by the fundraising concept at an international conference for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which has long been supported by members of the East Providence Police Department as well.

“I’d have to say that the most challenging year became the most memorable. In 2017, we had to move the plunge to the open ocean because our original location, at Goddard Park (in Warwick) had frozen over. We had the coldest plunge year ever, with wind chills taking air temps down to -17 degrees. Our changing tent was littered with items of clothing and towels that were frozen to the decking of the tented pavilion and hanging racks," said Johnson.

He continued, saying members of the team expressed reservations about attempting to continue with the plunge considering the frigid temps and in the wee hours of the morning. However, it was Bullock who urged the group to keep going. In fact, Bullock's dedication to the plunge was recognized by his mates naming him team captain the first year he participated, a title he has continued to maintain.

"Michael’s response was, 'Let’s keep going! We can do this!' That was it, from that moment forward, he earned the respect of the team and the rank of captain...We made it through the night despite the cold, and when the sun came up, we all got our second wind.”

Bullock said he took his inspiration from Johnson, becoming the only SORI athlete on the Torch Run Super Plunge team who since 2017 has done all 24 plunges of each event.

“I wanted to be the first athlete to do the super plunge and I wanted to test myself to see how I would do physically and emotionally and to show others that SORI athletes can achieve anything they put their minds to," said Bullock.

In addition, other SORI athletes also participate as "Super Plungers," who head into the water one or more times with the team each year.

Also of note, the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which has become an integral to the global Special Olympics movement, will celebrating its noteworthy 40th anniversary this year. In Rhode Island, the Law Enforcement Torch Run is comprised of dedicated individuals from various policing agencies, corrections facilities and fire departments all united by their commitment to promoting inclusion and acceptance for athletes with special needs.

The torch run is annually the lead-up to the start of the SORI Summer Games, which once again take place at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston on May 31-June 2.

Since its inception in 1984, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised close to $2 million for Special Olympics Rhode Island, volunteered at countless events, and left an indelible impact on the lives of thousands of athletes.

For more information on Special Olympics of Rhode Island or to donate to the cause of Bullock and the other super plungers visit https://specialolympicsri.org/torchrun/the-super-plunge.