Timothy Carson

25 Years of Plunging

On February 13^th,2000, when I did the first SONH Plunge, I had no idea that this would be an annual thing.  Even if I had, that evening, I had no designs on doing it a second time.  The 75 or so Plungers froze that day. We were ill prepared for a 20 plus minute wait on the beach. I was shirtless (I was in shape back then) and without shoes.  When we finally went in, the water felt warm on my feet; until I got out of the surf and had to walk back up the beach and over to the Ashworth Hotel to take a shower.  After a few months and a chance to coach the Winnisquam Special Olympic Soccer Team, it did not take much convincing to get me to do it again and again and again.

  I did include a few pictures of that first Plunge at the bottom of this page.

I have made a lot of friends Plunging over the past 24 years and look forward to seeing them, even if it is only once a year.  I have also been blessed over these years by the support of my family and friends in raising money for a cause that means so much to me.

Things have changed since that first Plunge.  All three of my children are now older than I was when I did that first Plunge.  My teaching career was just beginning and now it is drawing to an end.  It has been 15 years since I coached SONH soccer; but those memories are what make it easy for me to jump into the frigid Atlantic, those memories and some Jameson as well!

I always tell you how great a cause Special Olympics is, and how it changes lives, and that your money is buying smiles.  Truth be told, a fair share of those smiles were upon my face, and I can, with certainty, say my life changed for the better for my time as a coach in Special Olympics.  The Athletes that I got a chance to work with made the most of the opportunities you afford them through your generosity.  In practice, they trained hard; but always had fun, during games they competed fiercely; but never compromised their sportsmanship and when the game was over, they celebrate fully, and appreciate everything; regardless of the score.  How can you be around kids like that and not end up a better person?

 Together we have raised well over $35,000 over the past 24 years.  I can’t remember when we didn’t go over $2,000 each year.   Let's see if we can make $2,500 for the 25th Plunge!!!!

So a BIG THANK YOU to ALL of YOU for 24 years of support: My Dad, my wife Terri; my boys, Ian, Rory & John; my cousins Dennis & Denise; my Sisters Peggy & Joyce; Greg & Judy G; Jim & Mary K; Danielle W.; Maggie G; my former students: (Scotty T, Robbie C, Erica & Forrest; Cody R.); Lou Y; Karen, Tom & J.T.; Cousin Patrice & Co.; Michelle D.; Ward & Gail E.; Cousin Tori; Michael G.; Lisha G.; Beth G.; Beth C.; Dave D.; Cousin Gary, Alex, Karla, Zander & LeeAnn, Dave C.; Dick Comerford of "The Dugout Collection" (a great little Sports Card Store in Keene, NH);  Uncle Ron & Auntie Nancy; Dick & Diane; Richard & Alayne; Jim & Dawn; Tana & Mike; Muff & John; Ridge & Lynne; Greg, Sharon, Alicia & Deidre; Russ & Danielle B; Steve G.; Steve R.; Jim & Judy F.; Con & Jean;  John & Vicky W.; Josh H.; Cousin Nancy and Keith W.; Holly & Lenny; Dan & Maria V.; Tina W-G; Cousin Kate, Cousin Marianne ; Rich & Co.; Heather G.; The Savoys; Candy & Gary Garvin; Phyllis C. and John & Vickey H.