EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — Rain on a sunny day isn't a combination you hear much, but that's exactly what the East Stroudsburg Fire Department helped make happen at East Stroudsburg South High School.
Some students broke out the umbrellas and rain boots for the third annual Rain Rally. Others embraced the water.
"It's so nice. It's finally 80 degrees; that's my weather, and just running with the buddies and seeing them all happy, it's so much fun," said sophomore Kara Schomberg.
"Running through the water, feeling the water on this hot day, it's a sense of freedom, and seeing everyone all happy is just like, the world is healing," said Tess Nowosad.
The 'Rain Rally' is a spin-off of the Polar Plunge to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics and its Unified Champion Schools Program.
Aimee Ellison is a teacher in the East Stroudsburg Area School District and a unified track and field coach who has a mission to celebrate inclusivity.
"Our district is very big on supporting any inclusive activity that is happening, and this is a great thing for us to be able to support the greater LV Pocono area and Special Olympics PA," said Ellison.
This year's Rain Rally brought out more than 500 students who helped to raise more than $15,000 for the Special Olympics.
"We crushed it this year; we went way over our goal that we wanted to reach," said Ellison.
For the students, sharing a moment of fun under the sun builds on the friendships they've made through school clubs like Best Buddies and Special Olympics.
"I love it because it shows that everyone can come together and just be buddies," said Schomberg.
"It's always important to have an inclusive school to show that everyone is welcome at the school," Nowosad.
Organizers say this year, about six schools across the state also held Rain Rallies.