Slideshow: 25th annual Polar Bear Plunge

Chad McLaughlin, of Smyrna, helps 9-year-old Lexi Mathis get a better view of the 25th Annual Polar Bear Plunge at Rehoboth Beach Sunday. (Special to the Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)

Nine-year-old Cody McLaughlin, of Smyrna, trying to keep warm before taking a plunge into the frigid Atlantic Ocean Sunday.

Mounted Delaware State Police officers help watch over the crowd attending the 25th annual Polar Bear Plunge at Rehoboth Sunday.

Photographer Dan Cook on the rooftop of the Sands Hotel taking pictures of the mass of people on the beach for the Polar Bear Plunge Sunday.

Thousands of spectators on hand to witness the 25th annual Polar Bear Plunge at Rehoboth Beach Sunday.

Lewes volunteer fire company rescue boat was among Coast Guard and State Police crafts patrolling the Rehoboth shoreline for the safety of “Polar Bears” plunging into the ocean Sunday.

Mary Ann Evans, of Smyrna, and fellow “Polar Bear” Frank Fresconi, of Lewes, emerge from the 45-degree Atlantic Ocean at Rehoboth Beach Sunday.

A group, who identified themselves as the “Hoppy Plungers from Lewes” waiting for the signal to dive into the surf at Rehoboth Beach Sunday.

Mary Ann Evans, of Smyrna, with her Special Olympic athlete daughter Leanne, getting ready for the official start of the 25th annual Polar Bear Plunge Sunday.

“Polar Bears” rush into the frigid Atlantic Ocean at Rehoboth at the start of the 25th annual Special Olympic fundraiser Sunday.

“Polar Bears” rush into the frigid Atlantic Ocean at Rehoboth at the start of the 25th annual Special Olympic fundraiser Sunday.

Participants in the 25th annual Polar Bear Plunge retreat from the frigid water after a quick dip to help raise money for Special Olympics.

Photos by Gary Emeigh

More than 3,500 “polar bears” stood pacing and prancing, chattering in the chill, watching the clock for the countdown to the signal that would send them splashing into the surf at Rehoboth Beach on Sunday. Celebrating its 25th year, the annual Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge has grown from a group of 78 bears who raised $7000 in 1992 to an annual family favorite for a very good cause that has raised more than $8.3 million in its history.