2021 Torch Run Super Plunge for Special Olympics Rhode Island logo
Jon & David Ricciarelli avatar

A Message From Jon & David Ricciarelli

Thank you for taking the time to visit our fundraising page! I would like to start off by saying how excited my father and I are to participate in our 2nd Torch Run Super Plunge. This is truly an amazing cause that deserves everyone’s support and we cannot wait for December. During our first-ever Super Plunge, my father and I had no idea what we were getting ourselves into...how cold was it going to be...were we ever going to get dry...how would we handle being awake for over 24 hours knowing that every hour on the hour we would be submerging ourselves at Salty Brine Beach? Right off the bat, Super Plunge teammate/ veteran Chief Ziehl (ret.) convinced my father and I to join him in plunging twice an hour, with a couple more sprinkled in to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics with 50 plunges!!! What we learned, we learned quickly... the cold, the lack of sleep, it didn't matter! We were motivated! Motivated by each other, motivated by our fellow teammates, our family, our community, and most importantly motivated by our amazing Special Olympics Athletes! We truly were, and will be "Freezin for a Reason.” The impact of this event and the awareness it brings to Special Olympics Rhode Island counteracts any physical stressors for my dad and I. It's cold, it's windy, it's uncomfortable, and it's exhausting, but at the end of the 24 hours the end result is worth the effort without question. For those of you who don't know my father and I, below is a little introduction on the both of us. Thank you for visiting our page! For over 40 years my father, Dave Ricciarelli, served the State of Rhode Island: starting at the ACI, then the Cumberland Police Department, and finally with the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy. Throughout his years of service, my father has always been one to lead by example, and early on he taught me the importance of giving back to the community. I can actually remember him carrying me on his shoulders while he ran in one of the earliest Torch Run’s with the Police Academy recruits. Throughout our plunges, my father’s smile, words of wisdom, and occasional “love taps” to the back of my head will be motivating me to keep pushing on! And now a little about me and why I am so excited to be a part of this year’s Super Plunge. My name is Patrol Officer Jon Ricciarelli from the Smithfield Police Department. Currently, I am assigned to my department’s Community Police Division as School Resource Officer at Smithfield High School (Go Sentinels!). During my twelve years with the Smithfield Police, I have come to realize how true my father’s lessons about giving back to the community are. Since I started with Smithfield PD in 2009, I have had the honor to assist with the Special Olympics Northern Rhode Island Games by handing out medals to our local athletes after they compete and serving on the Honor Guard for the Games at Bryant University. Each year, watching the athletes and seeing the smiles, high fives, fist pumps, and hugs I get from our athletes really just says it all and is why I am trying to do whatever I can to support SORI. Thank you so much for visiting our page and thank you for your support of SORI. Please feel free to plunge with us in December or simply come to the beach to cheer my father and I on! Every dollar raised goes to the athletes of SORI. Unlike other states, here in Rhode Island, no athlete is ever charged a fee to compete in the over 25 sporting events that take place year round. Donations can easily be made here on our page and don't forget to recommend this page to your friends. If you have any further questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to email me anytime and I will get right back to you, jricciarelli@smithfieldpd.com. Thank you again!!! Jon and David Ricciarelli

$6,505

raised of $6,000 goal
THANK YOU! WE DID IT!
CLOSED

Location / Venue

Special Olympics RI logo
In Support of Special Olympics RI
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. Through sports, health, education and community programming, Special Olympics is tackling inactivity, intolerance, isolation and injustice that people throughout the world face, especially people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Rhode Island is one of the state’s most dynamic programs, providing over 1,600 year-round sports training and athletic competition opportunities to more than 4,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Rhode Island hosts over 40 statewide tournaments and competitions each year in 20 official and demonstration sports.