2015 Florida Polar Plunge - On the Road with Chef Dennis

Walk this way! Talk this way!

Woo-hoo!

Hey there, I'm Chef Dennis Littley and we are here live at SeaWorld's Aquatica for Freezin' for the Reason for the Special Olympics. And I am so excited to be here today. This is great! It's a beautiful day.

It's a great day.

And you're with the Special Olympics. Why don't you tell us who you are and what you do?

I'm Beth McKenna. I'm a volunteer with Special Olympics. I'm on team headquarters. And we've been raising money since July tonight to support this great cause. We're going to plunge into this freezing cold water. I know it's Florida, but it's 60 degrees in that water.

I heard it was 55. I heard it's chilling down. It's doing some serious chilling. So 55 is a little cold for me. It is truly a polar plunge.

It is truly a polar plunge.

Sounds good. So today's event starts really, the plunge starts at 11. So actually, if anybody's watching and wants to come down, you still have time to come down, and there is still time to donate.

If you donate to the end of the week, you go out to firstgiving.com and look for Special Olympics Polo Punch 2015, and you can donate. You can support somebody that you know, or you can just donate to the event overall.

So very cool.

Yeah, it's been great. We've been doing really good this year for fundraising. It helps support the athletes throughout the year. They have great programs for the athletes. They can do sports all year long. They have some great, um, you support them going up to the national games and state games and all the way down through the regional counties, something like that.

Excellent. Now, this is Orange County, or which county are we in?

This— we are in Orange County, right? But this is all of Florida. So we've got people over here from Brevard County, and, uh, one of our biggest supporters from Brevard County, the firefighters are here, and probably more people than I know.

So this is a statewide event. That's great. And, and I love your outfit today. I'm taking it that's not your normal hair color. It is.

You don't like it?

I love it. I love it. It really says a lot. But today is to plunge like a rock star. We're hanging out and we are— I'm not sure, they asked me this morning. Is it that way? Okay, because I'm a Longhorn and you know, yeah. So, but anyway, we're having a great day. Thank you so much for stopping by and we're going to talk to some of these other colorfully dressed contestants.

All right, so it's a pleasure to meet you.

Wow, we are having a great time here today, and Lisa is walking around with the camera, and I'll get her later. But come on and sit down. Hello! Now, who are you?

I'm the Enchantress.

You are definitely the Enchantress. Thank you. And what are you doing today here?

We are plunging for a reason.

Okay, and the reason you're here is to support?

The Special Olympics.

Very good. And have you done this before?

This is our first time.

Wow, so you have no idea actually how cold that water is going to be?

I heard it's going to be 55 degrees, which is freezing.

That's crazy. See, up north, that's like water. Like, I'm originally from New Jersey— I'm originally from Texas, but I lived in New Jersey most of my life, and the water is 55, you know, a lot of the time of year.

Freeze? Our springs are like 75.

I know, that's a big difference. I know, I've acclimated to Florida pretty good, and that's way too cold for me. But at least you got some rocking music, you got a lot of great people here, and we're gonna have fun today. All right, that's what it's all about, right? That's it. And anybody you'd like to say hi to or anything you'd like to shout out about?

Um, just like to give a shout out all of our people at RMC. That's what our team is. We're RMC's Chillin' Like Villains.

Thanks for their generosity. Yes, very much. Very good. And RMC is— who are they? Won't you tell us?

That's right, we won the playing pool. We set the world record. And we're from the Florida Department of Corrections.

Oh, that's great. You know, I love the police down here too. I've had such a good time. They're so friendly. Coming from up north, I don't know, it's just a whole different attitude.

We are public servants.

Yes, and it's great. So good for you. Thanks for coming here today, and we will be happy to watch your support. All right, so thanks a lot. Anybody else want to say anything or talk, or you guys good? All right, so thank you, and we'll see you later. Well, we're having such a good time here today, and Lisa is out and about with the camera. We're gonna have some more people sitting here with me. Hi, how you doing?

How are you?

Very good. And are you from Florida Hospital? Are you just wearing it?

No, I'm from Nemours.

Nemours. Nemours. I'm sorry.

Okay.

Yeah, very good. And are you here with the team? You've got the surgeons behind you.

Yeah, we've got the surgeons here. We have my fiancé and they have my sister. We're also the bridal team as well because we're getting married.

Oh, the bridal team. Are you, are you wearing this when you go out? Are you wearing your bridal team? We're gonna wear this because we gotta represent of course, because we are all about children.

And, you know, Special Olympics is amazing, so we'll do it.

It is. Now tell me a little bit about Nemours, because I'm new to the area.

Okay, well, Nemours has many different locations. We have the main hospital in Lake Nona. We have 3 locations in downtown Orlando, Lake Mary, Melbourne. I personally work for the ENT department, so I mean, we see so many kids and we help them so much. They're so grateful, and we're just grateful in general to be part of it.

You know, that is really a fulfilling job to have. I mean, it's It's got to be painful in some ways because you see some really bad situations.

We get attacked sometimes, but you know, the main— our main goal is to be there for them. They're scared, so we have to be strong for them.

Strong for them. Yeah. Well, good. I'm glad to see you're out here. And it's 55 out there today.

Oh Lord, 55.

But we're gonna go. We're gonna go. Get the tissue ready. Get the tissue ready. I think you better get the blankets ready.

Get the blanket, get the heater ready.

But yeah, we're in And luckily you've got a nice day and it's sunny, although when you come out of that water, I think it's a little breezy.

It is, it is, it is. But you know, for a good cause, we'll suck it up.

It is freezing for a reason. Freezing for a reason. I love that.

Love it.

Thank you so much.

It's a pleasure talking to you, and have fun today. All right, thank you.

Oh, I see somebody coming. I spy a Minnie Mouse kind of person.

How are you?

I'm great. How are you doing? I'm doing good. And what's your name?

I am Elizabeth from Longwood.

Elizabeth, move in just a little bit. There we go. Okay, and you're from Longwood, and are you here with a team or you're here by yourself?

I am here by myself today. Well, I am with a special Olympiad. Okay, I play softball and golf and support Hammond, whatever, whoever.

Excellent. So are you expecting the water to be a little nippy today?

Yes.

Are you going in like this?

Yes, I am. That's so I love all the outfits today, and I would love to stay in as long as possible.

Well, you know, I, I think you're probably going to be in there a little while, you know. Unfortunately, I'm not plunging in, but I will be taking some pictures of it later. But we've got all our friends watching, and we've got Nazim Beltran. He's watching from Milan where it is snowing, so he feels a little of your pain. He's originally from Florida.

Hi!

But he's here. Dave Pipe from Sussex in England is watching, and we've got a few other internationals. So they're watching to see this beautiful sunny Florida weather because they're all kind of suffering. And even though you're going in the cold water, it is still a beautiful day.

It is, it is. My family in Brooklyn is, you know, they laugh at me. Polar plunge, nothing, you're in Florida.

They don't, they don't understand because that's the first thing people said to me when I said we're having a polar plunge.

Yes.

How you doing that in Florida? I said, well, they're actually chilling in the water.

Yeah, they don't, they don't believe it.

No, at all. No, no, but that's all right. We're going to have a good day today. Thank you. I love your outfit.

Thank you so much.

Thanks. Have fun today.

Thank you very much.

All right, bye-bye. Wow, this is such a great group. Oh my God, come on down. And how are you doing today?

We're doing good.

And you're here to represent a team, or are you just here by yourself?

We're, uh, by ourselves but raising money for the headquarters too. So we're cousins.

Oh, great, great. So you're admitting to being related to this monkey?

I am admitting to it, or he's admitting to me.

He's admitting one way or the other. Is this now— is this Curious George, or is this— no, who is it? I'm sorry. Mr. Sock Monkey. Mr. Soft Monkey. Okay, Sock Monkey. I'm not real up on my monkeys, unfortunately. It's been a while since I've had a little one, but this is great. So you're going in like that so they can't see the fear on your face as the water gets cold. That's right. I hope you brought something to change in because I don't know if a wet monkey is like a wet dog, but hopefully it won't smell the same.

Probably not too comfortable.

Not too— definitely not too comfortable, but we do have some warmth out here. There's some sunshine. So beautiful. And, uh, you're, you're actually dressed with the hat and scarf like my relative— my relatives— my neighbors. I'm from the north, so I still I still haven't acclimated to the cold the way they have, but when it hits 70, they're out there in their wool hats and mittens.

It's true. I know, I'm from Wisconsin originally, so—

So this ain't cold.

They actually jump in Lake Michigan. Yes, which is a little bit different in February.

55 would be like a sauna bath, right? A steam bath to them.

Yeah.

Well, have fun today.

Thank you.

And enjoy the Polar Plunge, and I'll see you around.

Great, thanks so much.

Thank you. Wow, this is really— we're really having a great time. Let me show— Lisa's walking around and she's got some people. Oh, I see a dolphin she's talking to. Come on down. We're having a good time. All right, so tell me, tell me who you are, what you're here for today. I'm Elf on the Shelf. Elf on the Shelf, right? And I'm here for the Pool of Punch to help Special Olympic athletes get to where they need to be. That's great. So you came off your shelf special for the event? Yes, sir, I did. No one moved you here, right? No, I had to come on my own. Santa said it was all right for the season, you know, because this is a special occasion. That's right. So he said you have permission to come out and have some fun with everyone. Very good. Are you here by yourself or with the team? I'm here with a team. It's called St. Lucie's Finest. Okay. And that's a bunch of St. Lucie County deputies. Oh, well, I'm a Glades County deputy. I'm the only out-of-county deputy that's in there. Very good. So you work for the sheriff's department?

Yes, sir.

You know, I love you guys. You really, you know, you are the nicest, friendliest bunch, and it's nice to see the cars out and about. You know, coming from up north, we had all these individual police departments, and I don't know, it just never felt like it is down here. It really gives me a sense of being safe. Yeah. And you guys put up with a lot too. We try. Yeah.

Yeah.

And smile.

You do.

And you got social media too. I was always— I'm always surprised when I see somebody's on Twitter or on Facebook, one of the sheriff's departments. So that's really cool. Yeah, we try to be personable. Absolutely. Absolutely. I did tweet one time I saw a state trooper changing a tire and I tweeted, I'm definitely not in New Jersey anymore. Yeah, that's true. I'm from New York City, so you understand. Yes, sir. Yeah, it's a whole different attitude and I'm happy to be here. Have fun today. I appreciate it. Thank you for having me. Great. You have a great day. You too. So this is just excellent. We're seeing all kinds of people. Oh my God. And here come the chefs. Here comes— come on, sit down. I love it. You guys, this is my trade too. If somebody have a seat, we can talk. What's that? I gotta do all the talking. You gotta do all the talking. What is this about? I don't— well, it's, it's about cooking something up special for today. That's right. So what are you cooking? We, we've been cooking up a lot of, uh, uh, a lot of memories and dreams and opportunities for all these athletes. Very good. And I'm glad to see you out here supporting them. And I love all the different colorful outfits we have. This is wonderful. We are We are a Baker's Dust. A Baker's Dust? Are there more of you then, sir? Absolutely. There's another close set. Well, there might be more. Okay, so you're bigger than a baker. You're better than a Baker's Dust. Our team name is a Baker's Dust. Very cool. We represent Baker Correctional Institution, Florida Department of Corrections. You know, this is great. I love to see all the involvement from Florida Department of Corrections, the police officers. You know, I am just thrilled to see you guys working with them like that. Does me— does my heart good. It does our heart good. We, you know, the Torch Run, we work with the Torch Run, and when the local games are done in our community, we participate and help out with them and take care of those kids. Very good.

Take care of those kids.

Very worthy cause. Anybody like to say hi to anyone or shout out? Say hello! Give everyone a shout out! Hello! Now that's the chef's kiss. That are winning my heart. There we go. Baker's does make 2015. You didn't bring any donuts by any chance?

We don't have—

we ate them all on the way. I'm sorry. We ate them all on the way. Thanks a lot, my friend. Have a great day and enjoy your plunge. You are a chef. I am. How about that? That's what I said. See y'all later.

Thanks, guys.

Come on down.

Hello.

So what team do we have here?

We have Dot McLadybug. McLadybug, and we are with the Alpha Sigma Alpha Central Florida Alumni Chapter.

All right, now are there Alpha Sigma Alphas in the different schools around Orlando?

Actually, our closest collegiate chapter is Valdosta, Georgia.

Wow!

And we have two sisters from Valdosta, Georgia here.

Very cool. So from which Georgia school is it? I don't want to offend by— Valdosta State University. Okay, Valdosta State University.

Great.

So you're here for the Polar Plunge. Are there any more of you today, or just—

There's a few more of us, yes.

Oh my God, so you're gonna go in that freezing 55-degree water.

Wait, it was 59 last we heard.

I heard 55, and I did see an ice truck back up. I don't wanna— I'm not the one telling you that.

That's all right.

You know, it's freezing for a reason.

That's right.

So you're here to support the Special Olympics, and what a worthy cause.

Absolutely.

Do you guys get out and do anything else?

Yes, we, um, we belong to Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, and Special Olympics is our national philanthropic. So we do all kinds of volunteering with Special Olympics throughout the year with our collegiate chapters as well as the alumni chapters. This is our first time doing the Polar Plunge here.

Oh, so you're in for a treat.

Yes, we are very excited.

Hopefully it won't be the last time.

No, I don't think so.

And just, just think, I had someone here from Wisconsin a little while ago, and they do— they go into Lake Michigan. So I think Lake Michigan is a little bit— yeah, it's a little chillier. Yeah. So keep that in mind when you're hitting the 35-degree water. It could be a lot more. Yeah, it's good. Well, thank you so much, and good luck in the plunge, and have fun today.

Thank you.

You too.

You have a great day.

You too. Bye-bye. Wow. So let's see what else Lisa doing. She's walking around. Come on down. Oh, so we're here today for the Polar Plunge, and tell us who you are.

I'm Shelly Kieran. I've got a site called On the Go at MCO.

Okay.

And I'm Kelly Green, also known as SeaWorld Mommy.

That's right, and you're why I'm here today, so thank you so much.

I'm so glad that you came out.

I am too. And Carolyn Capern had actually posted, you should get a hold of Kelly Green, SeaWorld Mommy. I said, well, who do you think arranged this?

No, we wanted to bring out as many people as possible to talk about why we're here for Special Olympics. And Shelly's— this is your first year doing this? This is my first year doing this.

This is so— and what a— we couldn't ask for a better day.

It's actually getting a little warm, I'm surprised to say.

Yeah, I heard it's going to be a little over 70 today, so, you know, it won't— I don't know, I guess maybe that'll make the icy water seem a little more icy.

I hope, I hope it makes it seem a little bit better when we come out. I'm worried about coming out. I'm not worried about going in.

I'm worried about coming out because they— well, the breeze died down a little bit, so if it had been as breezy as it was last night, yesterday, we'd be in trouble. You'd be popsicles.

So, well, Kelly was saying they turn off the heaters on Wednesday, so, um, and there's a little sign that goes between the time and the temperature and it said 55 degrees. So I know that's not cold cold, but that's, that's definitely Florida cold. I'm a Florida native and so 55 water is pretty nippy.

Yeah, yeah, 55 is still pretty chilly. I, you know, I Even 70 when you, when you go in at first, it's a shock.

Well, you think of the springs being 72 year round. Thank you so much for coming out.

My pleasure.

Thank you for getting the word out about the Florida.

I love it, and this is, this is such a nice day and a beautiful day. We talked to a lot of fun people, and Lisa is out here wandering around with her camera so we can talk a little to show some of what's going on. Uh, thank you.

And one of the other reasons that we're out here is, uh, we're starting a new like social media group called Hearts of Social. Where we're trying to kind of be a Match.com for ad agencies or newsrooms or bloggers and editors and writers with charities like this so that we can insert their message into places they might not have known about before. So trying to get them together.

That's a great idea. And you know, it really is, we're here, we've become good at social media, we've done well for ourselves, we need to give back to everyone. And use the strength and the power that we've gotten because of what we do.

Exactly, strength in numbers.

Together we're stronger.

There's some moose over here that are going to come talk to us.

Sounds good. Mooses. Mooses for a reason. Here come the moose.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, it was great talking to you. How you doing? The moose is on the loose! All right, how we doing? I'm doing good, how you doing? I'm Scott, I'm with the Florida Bermuda Moose Association, and these guys are here to help support Special Olympics. What are you doing here? I'm doing here, and I'm supporting Special Olympics by showing it to my viewers around the world. Come on around behind me, guys, get in the camera here so you can get in the picture. Oh wow, we do this, we've done this. Well, I've been doing 4 years, they've been doing it for like 5 years. So you're, you're the Moose organization, are you the— Yes, we are the state organization for the Loyal Order of Moose. The Loyal Order of Moose. Okay. Last year we raised over $7,000. This year we're going to hit $10,000. That's great. That is awesome. And how many members do you have here doing the plunge? 50. 50. We hit 50. That's our biggest year yet. Wow. 50 moose on the loose. Hopefully the herd of moose are here. Yes, mooses, we are here. And if you haven't heard of the Moose, you should check out your local lodges because we're all over the state. I have heard of the Loyal Order, so I just want to get name right before I said it. Absolutely. It's a great organization. We do a lot of community service. This is one of them, and we do a fantastic— are you here in Orlando, or, um, I'm from Palm Bay, Tampa Hills, Florida. We got people from Ocala, we got people from Jacksonville, we got someone from West Palm Beach here. Very good. But we've gotten donations for our team from everywhere all over the country. Mine, the highest one mine went was Iowa. I had someone in Pittsburgh donate to me. So it's a, you know, with the web things, it's awesome. Just gets everybody involved and having fun and supporting. That's what it's all about. That's exactly what we have, uh, a retirement. Yeah, very good, very good. You know, it makes you feel good about society when you hear things like this, that, you know, not everything is is as bad as the news makes it out all the time. There's a lot of good people doing a lot of good things. Yep. And this is only a little bit of what we do. We do a phenomenal job with our charity work and our volunteerism. There's so many volunteers out there, it's crazy. So if you're looking to volunteer and you want a good organization to be with, the Loyal Order of the Moose. Absolutely. Come see your local chapter. FloridaMoose.com. FloridaMoose.com, guys. Thank you so much. Oh, I see. Come on, shamu! Oh, we've We got a very special guest. Can Shamu sit? Oh, we have got the star of SeaWorld here. Hear me now?

Okay, great.

Okay, so we are here for the 4th lunch, and tell me who you are and what you got.

We are from several county Special Olympics.

Nice. You are rock stars. Yay! All right, this way. Wait, I'm going to get it right. This way. Okay. Look at those. Very cool. So you're here to see the plunge? You guys going in? Brave souls. Your first time? Yes, our first time too. Hopefully it won't be your last time.

59°.

Yeah, I love the ride. You love the rides? You know, they are great rides. Front of the best part of the park here. I sit at the other beach and just see over. I did see that water slide that goes underwater. Not today. I'll be back for the water. So why don't you all wave to everybody? Excellent. All right, thank you so much and enjoy your day at the Blanche. Well, we're having a great time here. It's a beautiful day, and the crowd's getting pretty deep now for the plunge. So I think that's about it. Thank you so much for being here, Kelly.

Thank you so much for being here, everybody.

And we had a great time today, and I'm looking forward— I'm going to take a bunch of pictures and I'll post a blog post about this great day. It's getting crowded, everyone's getting ready.

We're gonna have some links so you can still donate to Special Olympics Florida and support the wonderful programs they do right here in the state.

That's right, and I will add those links onto the broadcast page so everybody can do it. So have a great day. We're gonna plunge like rock stars! And you're plunging!

I am! The coldest it's ever been!

Yay!

Yay!

All right, thank you so much, and have a great day, guys. Enjoy your weather.