Polar plunge to get wet, wild...and probably pretty cold

Sign-up underway for Feb. 22 event at Lake Mendota

Posted 1/29/25

MENDOTA – Special Olympics Illinois is proud to announce the return of the coolest event of the year, the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Illinois athletes.

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Polar plunge to get wet, wild...and probably pretty cold

Sign-up underway for Feb. 22 event at Lake Mendota

Posted

MENDOTA – Special Olympics Illinois is proud to announce the return of the coolest event of the year, the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Illinois athletes. The Polar Plunge will return for 26 in-person events throughout February and March across Illinois.

Plungers will converge on Mendota and the chilly waters of Lake Mendota for its eighth annual event on Saturday, Feb. 22. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. inside the Mendota Civic Center and participants will start submerging themselves into the lake at noon.

For 26 years, the Polar Plunge has become an iconic and exhilarating event, engaging the community on the importance of inclusion, and raising critical funds to support the life-changing programming of Special Olympics Illinois. In 2024, the Polar Plunge raised more than $2,400,000, providing thousands of Special Olympics Illinois athletes access to year-round sports competitions and training, health and wellness initiatives, and leadership and personal development opportunities.

“The Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Illinois has grown into an iconic celebration highlighting the values of our community and promoting the importance of inclusion,” said Pete Beale-DelVecchio, President & CEO, Special Olympics Illinois. “This exhilarating event brings together warm-hearted plungers, dedicated local partners, generous sponsors, and selfless volunteers, all united in the mission to uplift and champion the exceptional athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.”

For more information on how to register or become involved in the 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge visit https://plungeillinois.com.

About Special Olympics Illinois

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to a community of more than 55,000 traditional athletes, Young Athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, and more. It strives to be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year-round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development.

If you are interested in being a part of Special Olympics Illinois and its vision, contact your local region, call 800-394-0562 or visit its website at www. soill.org. Follow Special Olympics Illinois on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and X.