Tabor Academy’s first annual Polar Plunge raised more than $12,000 for the Special Olympics Massachusetts.

“It exceeded expectation,” said Megan Hoffman of the Special Olympics Massachusetts.

Almost 100 people participated in Sunday’s event at Silvershell Beach, each raising at least $50 to support the nonprofit, which works with more than 12,000 intellectually disabled athletes throughout the state.

Tabor Academy students and staff started their own Special Olympics Young Athletes Program more than a year ago, working with children at weekly events from December to February. They also hosted a basketball tournament and a Fitness Day.

“Once you meet the athletes, it’s amazing,” said Tabor student Tali O’Leary of Marion. “They’re close to our hearts.”

A team of students runs the program with leadership from Tim Cleary, and they organized Sunday’s event as well.

From mobilizing students on campus to a heated tent and sponsorships, Cleary said, “the kids did everything. It was really a great experience.”

Leah Wolff of Duxbury agreed.

“It’s good to see the community come together,” she said. “This was something we were really excited about.”

Students hoped to raise $10,000 through the icy swim but were pleased to surpass that goal. It was a great motivator in jumping into the harbor.

And, said Campbell Donley of Rochester, holding an event like the Polar Plunge was perfect for Tabor.

“The ocean is such a big part of Tabor. It just makes sense.”

After the plunge, students got to spend the afternoon with the athletes for whom they’d done so much hard work at the weekly Young Athletes Program.

Proceeds from the event go to the Special Olympics Massachusetts.

For more information on Tabor's program, visit taboracademy.org.

Marion Fire/EMS helped support the event, and students from Sandwich High School’s swim and dive team also joined the plunge.