Community Corner

Polar Plunge Raises $100,000 for Special Olympics

The law enforcement torch run polar plunge benefits north suburban Cook County Special Olympics athletes.

Four-hundred and fifty brave souls toughed out frigid weather, cloudy skies and close to freezing water temperatures at Twin Lakes Sunday to raise funds for Special Olympics athletes.

Participants in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge began gathering as early as 10 a.m. in eager anticipation of jumping into the 40 degree waters. 

Many of the participants were costumed in creative and noticeable outfits including teams dressed as frogs, dogs, men in pink bath robes and one daring gentleman even donned a neon green Speedo.

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The plunge began at 1 p.m. and the money raised helps ensure all athletes who want to participate in the Special Olympics are able to do so.   

A $75 donation was required to participate in the event, but many of those who took the plunge sought out additional donations, some totaling as much as $1,500 a person.

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“Our athletes are not charged to compete, so their participation is made possible by fundraisers throughout the year,” said Dan Conley, area director for Special Olympics Illinois.

The more than $100,000 in donations brought in from the event will go directly to North Suburban Cook County Special Olympics athletes. 

“This plunge is so successful because of the support of the Salt Creek Park District and from the Palatine Fire Department,” Conley said.

Among the crowd of roughly 750 was a large presence of fire department personnel to handle any medical situations that may have arisen.

“We have an ambulance standing by, two of our guys are in yellow ‘Mustang Suits’ in the water and three divers are ready to go in the case of any emergencies,” said Bill Gabrenya, Palatine Fire Department battalion chief.   

The Arlington Heights Police Department team, named the ‘Polar Police,’ has been participating in the Polar Plunge for the past four years.

“This is such a worthy event; it is a great cause to make sure the athletes are able to compete and be the best they can be,” said Lisa Musialowicz, Arlington Heights police officer and a member of the ‘Polar Police’ plunge team.

Members of the Palatine American Legion Post 690 also had a team of 11 members and raised close to $4,000 for the cause.

“We get a lot of the community involved in this event; not everyone wants to be in the water in February but it’s such a worthy cause, that is why I’m here,” said District 1 Village Council member Aaron Del Mar, a member of the ‘Naked Blue Jays’ team from American Legion Post 690.

The largest team numbered 42 participants and consisted of all members of the Palatine High School (PHS) Lacrosse Team, their family members and friends.

“I think everyone should be involved in this; to help the Special Olympics athletes reach their potential just like we get to,” said Jesus Rojas, PHS Lacrosse player and plunge team member.

Conley said the Polar Plunge fundraiser could not have been a success without a group – primarily made up of volunteers – who been planning the event since September.

There are 18 locations in Illinois including the event at Twin Lakes, where people are "taking the plunge" to raise funds for Illinois Special Olympics athletes each year, said Conley.  

The next Special Olympics event will be the district gymnastics competition at the Buehler YMCA on March 20.

For more information about additional Polar Plunge events, visit the Special Olympics Illinois website at www.soill.org.


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