Chesapeake Bay Polar Plunge raises $2.8M for Special Olympics BALTIMORE, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- An estimated 12,000 people showed up at the Chesapeake Bay to raise money for Special Olympics Maryland by jumping in the frigid water, officials said. About 8,000 participants in the 17th annual Polar Bear Plunge ran into the water at Chesapeake Bay at 1 p.m. Saturday, The Baltimore Sun reported. A smaller plunge was also held at 4 p.m., for which about 4,000 participants showed up, said Special Olympics Maryland spokeswoman Linda Ellingsworth. The event likely brought in about $2.8 million for Special Olympics Maryland, Ellingsworth said.