MENDOTA – This winter, the Mendota community is invited to be bold and get cold by taking the Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics Illinois athletes. The 2022 Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge presented by GEICO in Mendota will take place at Lake Mendota, at noon on Saturday, Feb. 26.  Participants can register at bit.ly/MendotaPlunge and can find additional information at plungeillinois.com.

This year, participants may choose from one of two options. Plunge OUR Way will look familiar to our past Plungers – this means attending one of the many in-person Polar Plunges hosted directly by Special Olympics Illinois. Plunge YOUR Way is our newest version of the Polar Plunge. Get as creative as you want with Plunge YOUR Way, whether that’s at home in a kiddie pool, at the office with buckets of water, or any way you can safely “plunge.” Remember, it isn’t where you plunge, or how you plunge, but that you plunge to support these athletes.

Be sure to commemorate your plunge by taking pictures and videos, and tag Special Olympics Illinois on Facebook/Instagram: @specialolympicsillinois; Twitter: @SO_Illinois, using the official hashtag: #BeBoldGetCold.

Special Olympics Illinois encourages participants to exercise safe Plunge YOUR Way choices. Special Olympics Illinois is not responsible for any injuries that occur while participating in the Plunge YOUR Way option. 

Registered participants must raise a minimum of $100 to plunge and receive the annual Polar Plunge sweatshirt. Those who raise more than $100 may earn other incentive prizes. All proceeds collected by plungers benefit the more than 23,000 traditional athletes and 13,000 Young Athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.

GEICO is proud to be the statewide presenting polar plunge sponsor. Thank you to statewide silver sponsors Jewel-Osco and McAlister’s Deli; statewide bronze sponsors J. Alexander’s, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, and Heartland Coca-Cola; and local sponsors Shaw Media, Aramark, Nicor Gas, The Blazer Foundation, Peak Sports and Schnucks.

For more information, contact Region A Director Debbie Kelly at dkelly@soill.org or call 815-739-2052.