Cold, shocking, exciting – a rush. That’s what it feels like to plunge into frigid water at the beach in the depth of winter. Every year, hardy residents statewide take a plunge into the ocean for a good cause on New Year’s Day.

Cranston resident and longtime plunger Kyle Fellela has been doing the Penguin Plunge for over 12 years. He began in 2010 with his brother Hank Fellela and had no idea that the plunge was a fundraiser.

After learning about the purpose of the event, the brothers gathered a team called the Icebreakers and collected donations for Special Olympics, recognizing how beneficial and important their fundraising efforts were to the athletes.

Celebrating its 49th year, the Special Olympics Penguin Plunge helps raise money for kids while raising awareness about the program. Special Olympics Rhode Island provides over 1,500 sports, training and athletic-competition opportunities to more than 4,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 

The Icebreakers have grown in number over the years. In their first year, Kyle Fellela said, the team had about five people and raised about $1,000. Now, they have more than 50 plungers and raised about $12,000 in 2023.

The 2025 plunge is at Scarborough Beach for the first time and the main plunge is at noon, followed by a family-friendly plunge 15 minutes later. Fellela said it’s “pretty exciting” when you line up under the clock. He compared it to the tension as the Romans line up for battle in the movie “Gladiator.”

With adrenaline pumping, Fellela said, you don’t feel the cold while you’re waiting. And when you plunge into the ocean, it is a little shocking at first.

“But you get used to it and it makes it all worth it when you do see the athletes and how empowering it is and the smiles on everyone's faces – everyone's there for the same common goal,” Fellela said. “You're all there for the same reason. It's the same effort and it’s a great cause to be a part of.”

Ed Pacheco, president and CEO of Special Olympics Rhode Island, said that with Kyle comes the whole Fellela clan.

“They have made this a part of their annual tradition, but also a way to come together as a community and not only celebrate each other but celebrate how they as a collective can give back in a meaningful way and have fun at the same time,” Pacheco said.

He said Kyle Fellela has been amazing in leading the volunteer and fundraising efforts in his team and has volunteered countless hours. Pacheco said he “represents the best in people that are a part of this event.”

Pacheco highlighted the fundraising efforts of the Penguin Plunge but also underscored a crucial aspect to the event, the education awareness that comes with participation.

“I thank people like Kyle and Hank and his family for really stepping up and being leaders to move that conversation forward,” Pacheco said. “Because again, the dollars raised are critical, but the message is what is going to change lives.”

Every year the participation in the plunge grows. In 2022, Pacheco said, they had more than 700 people. In 2023, the crowd grew to more than 1,000 people. He expects even more this year.

“When you have people that you haven't even met before, just walk up to you and say, ‘I'm going to be there on New Year's Day,’ that to me demonstrates that sense of community,” Pacheco said. “They want to be a part of something, and they want to take that effort to the next level. It's making a difference in everybody's lives. And you kick off the year with making a splash while making an impact.”

Pacheco encouraged anyone who is interested in the plunge to come out and see for themselves the excitement and sense of community found at such an event. He said once you get there, you’ll want to be part of the festivities.

“All these families, they don't have to pay for anything. This fundraising is so huge for the Special Olympics,” Fellela said. “The Penguin Plunge itself, too – I think it's the biggest fundraiser every year. It's so important and the athletes are so grateful for what people do for them and they're so thankful. So it makes you want to do it, and you see them empowered, and it's so great to see.”

When asked what makes him participate every year, Fellela said it is a way of saying thank you to the people who donate to the Icebreakers and a way to give back to the athletes.

“It is a great sense of pride, and I see myself doing it forever,” Fellela said. “I don't see myself ever not doing it.

“When people choose to plunge, they're not only choosing to plunge to kick off the new year, [but they’re also] plunging to help build awareness about that impact,” Pacheco said. “The more people we can get to be a part of that the better, because our world deserves, every single one of our athletes deserves, that future.”

Anyone interested in donating or learning more about Special Olympics Rhode Island can visit the website at specialolympicsri.org.