Saturday, February 28th was a very special day for the North Carolina Torch Run. It was an event to raise money for their Special Olympics. The 2015 costumed Polar Plunge was sponsored by the Cleveland County Sheriff and held at the Moss Lake beach area. All together ninety-one brave souls showed up in their costumes to take the benefit plunge. Over $7000 was raised and the large crowd loved each character as they went down to the docks and were introduced by the Master of Ceremony, John Carter. Carter, a graduate of Crest High School is the co-anchor of WBTV News This Morning and WBTV News at Noon.
Sheriff Alan Nor-man said he was very pleased "with the outstanding support given to this special event." He also said plans for another benefit for Special Olympics is in the primary planning stage. It would be held in September and would include a 5K or 10K run. Sheriff Norman mentioned that his department is "presently exploring additional programs for funds benefiting the Special Olympics." One might say that on Saturday at Moss Lake there was some cold cash raised by brave community minded citizens who all took the plunge to the cheers of the crowd.

-M.A. Andrews