WBAL TV 11

Hearst Television

WBALTV

WBAL-TV partners with Special Olympics Maryland every January for its largest fundraiser, the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge. WBAL-TV 11 has been a promotional partner with the Maryland State Police and Special Olympics Maryland for the Polar Bear Plunge event for the past 24 years. Since the inception of the WBAL-TV/Special Olympics Maryland partnership, the Polar Bear Plunge has raised a total of more than $73,000,000 and grown into the largest polar bear plunge in the United States.

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  • Partnership Years

    2000–Present

  • Plunges

    24

  • Athletes Supported

    359,605

  • Total Fundraising

    $73,000,000

Our partnership with Special Olympics Maryland symbolizes what local broadcasting is all about. Year after year our team embraces the Special Olympics mission and they invest countless hours to help spread awareness and raise funds.  We are all inspired by athletes like Adam Hays, Annu Singleton and Monique Matthews to focus on giving current and future athletes the opportunity to experience the benefits of training and competing in the sports they love, free of charge. We are proud to collaborate with Special Olympics Maryland in creating a world where opportunity is not limited by disability.

Dan Jorres

President & General Manager