Q&A: District 15 Rep. Aruna Miller Joins in Polar Bear Plunge

More than 14,300 people took a plunge into the frosty Chesapeake Bay as a part of the 16th annual Polar Bear Plunge, an event spokesman told The Capital.

Among those participants was Darnestown native and District 15 Representative Del. Aruna Miller. Joined by Del. Herb McMillan and Jon Cardin, Miller was the only representative from Montgomery County to participate, according to The Capital.

North Potomac-Darnestown Patch had a chance to catch up with Miller prior to the event.

The Polar Bear Plunge is part of the Maryland Law Enforcement Torch Run program. The program, according to a press release from Maryland State Police, "includes police officers, correctional officers, parole and probation officers, and federal agents who work together throughout the year to conduct special events that raise money to support Special Olympics, which is the adopted charity of law enforcement worldwide."

As of Sunday, Jan. 29, the fundraisers had already topped last year's mark, raising over $2.5 million for Special Olympics, a spokesperson told The Capital.

Patch: Is this your first year participating in the Polar Bear Plunge and if not, for how long have you participated? What motivated you to want to participate?

Del. Aruna Miller: Yes, [it is my first year participating]. I met Maryland Special Olympic athletes and Special Olympians for the first time in Annapolis last year.  I was so overcome by their commitment and how hard they trained. So, I promised the athletes that I would participate in the MSP Polar Bear Plunge.

Patch: You've mentioned that you don't handle cold weather particularly well. How do you think that came to be and what are your thoughts/emotions about jumping into freezing cold water multiple times for this event?

AM: Cold urticaria is an allergy to cold temperatures where exposure causes redness, itching, swelling and hives on the skin and I have had this condition for over 15 years. As far as running into 30 degree range water, as I have stated in my e-mail soliciting contributions, there are two things I hate…snakes and cold weather. However, like all of the Polar Bear Plunge participants, I believe the Special Olympics of Maryland is worth every bit of temporary discomfort in creating lasting opportunities and training for sports and life.

Patch: The Polar Bear Plunge raises money for Special Olympics and you've pledged to raise $5,000. Can you talk about the importance of this charity event and do you think you'll meet your goal?

AM: Thanks to the warm generosity of my colleagues in the Maryland General Assembly, family and friends, so far we have raised $1,600. I am an optimist and aimed high for my goal of $5,000. I also believe Marylanders are extremely generous people who understand the spirit serving our state and our communities. 

Patch: You're the only female legislator participating from the Maryland General Assembly and only Montgomery County representative. Would you like to see more of your colleagues get involved?

AM: Members of the Maryland General Assembly participate in numerous charitable organizations. With the MSP Polar Bear Plunge, there is a bit of rivalry, since the current participants are male delegates: Del. Jon Cardin, Democrat, Baltimore County and Del. Herb McMillan, Republican, Anne Arundel County. Thus, the competitive side of me wants to demonstrate that Montgomery County is so much cooler.

Patch: What does it mean to you to be able to hold up your promise to those athletes and participate in this event?

AM:  I made a promise and there is no greater feeling than following through on my word. I am excited and honored to partake in such a worthy cause.