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Contact: Becky McClarran
301-697-6676
becky@mcclarranwilliams.com
21st Annual Hooley Plunge
Saturday, March 1, 2025, found 426 brave souls running into the frigid waters of Lake Habeeb, Rocky State Park for the 21st annual Hooley Plunge. The Hooley Plunge, organized by Wamba Caravan #89, raises funds to support local programs for the developmentally disabled. This year, over $126,000 was raised, making it once again the largest single-day fundraising event in Allegany County. The Hooley Plunge allows the Wamba Caravan #89 to fully fund the Special Olympics of Allegany County and support programs in both public and private schools, Boy Scout Troop #89, and Friends Aware. Scholarships, one at Allegany College of Maryland and one at Frostburg State University are donated to two local students preparing for a career working with the developmentally disabled.
“Cold Hands. Warm Heart. is the motto for the Plunge. It is an inspiration to see how many people of all ages come out and jump in a cold lake for a great cause,” commented Alhambra member and Hooley Plunge organizer Jim Stafford. “Every year, we see kids and teachers from the schools, senior citizens, entire school and sports teams, organizations, and businesses come out for the Plunge. It’s a great day to be from Allegany County.” The Doug and Betsey Schwab Family Foundation, Rocky Gap Casino Resort and Golf, WebstaurantStore, Barrelville Outdoor Club, ABATE, Western Maryland Distributing Company, The Rotary Club of Cumberland, and Chessie Federal Credit Union are among the major sponsors.
The Hooley Plunge was the inspiration of the late Dr. Sean McCagh, a member of Wamba Caravan #89. “Make it personal,” McCagh would say. His beloved sister’s son, Brian, aka Bacon Head, is developmentally disabled, and McCagh recognized how important these programs are for individuals and their families. As an Alhambra member, he knew helping those individuals was important. Part of the organization’s mission, so he enlisted their support and manpower.
Since its inception, the Hooley Plunge has raised nearly 2.5 million dollars to fund a wide variety of local programs and organizations, including the Allegany County Board of Education’s Inclusion Sports and Structural Living Environment classes (SLE) at ten public schools. Other recipients include the Pratt program at Bishop Walsh School, Boy Scout Troop #io, the Western Maryland Food Bank, Friends Aware, and the Union Rescue Mission, as well as fully fund the Special Olympics of Allegany County and the two local scholarships.
Plans for the 22nd Hooley Plunge are already in the works. The event is traditionally scheduled for the first Saturday in March which falls on March 7, 2026. For more information on the Hooley Plunge, visit www.hooleyplunge.com.