On Feb. 24, 181 Polar Plunge participants plunged into Lake Mendota.
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It was only 38 degrees outside, but it did not stop 181 participants from plunging into frigid water for the Polar Plunge held at Lake Mendota, Feb. 24. Over $44,000 for Special Olympics Illinois was raised from the event. (Reporter photos by Jennifer Sommer)
MENDOTA – The Polar Plunge recently kicked off its water-dipping season. By the end of March, 24 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunges will have taken place around the state to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. This is the second year that Mendota was added to the list of Polar Plunge locations.
On Feb. 24, 181 participants plunged into Lake Mendota. The weather outside was 38 degrees, but plungers had to brave the even colder lake water that registered only 28 degrees.
In the end, the brrr-ave participants raised over $44,000 for Special Olympics.
Top teams were the LP Plungers, $8,354; Streator Bulldogs, $4,325; and Lincoln Lions, $2,707. Other top teams included Mendota High School and the Northbrook Bobbers.
“Money raised at this event will benefit the over 1,700 athletes that participate in Region A Special Olympics Illinois,” said Allison Nichols, Region A assistant director of development, Special Olympics Illinois.
Nichols also recognized the sponsors of the event including the City of Mendota, the Mendota Fire Department, and the Mendota Police Department.
Pending approvals, the Polar Plunge will return to Lake Mendota next year on Feb. 23.
Upcoming plunge locations include Decatur, Manteno, Rend Lake, Rockford, Springfield, Oak Brook, Yorkville, Macomb, Joliet, and Rock Island. For more information on the Polar Plunge and upcoming events, visit the Special Olympics Illinois website at http://www.soill.org/polar-plunge/.
Special Olympics Illinois is a year-round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics programs are now in more than 170 countries with 4.7 million athletes.
All proceeds from the plunges benefit the 22,000 athletes and 21,000 Young Athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.
