Polar Plungers will be freezin' for a reason on St. Patty's Day

[January 20, 2012]  NORMAL -- It's not every day that people are willing to "go jump in a lake" -- particularly in the winter -- let alone do so with thousands of other people, including members of the law enforcement community. But that's exactly what will happen on various weekends in February and March as part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Illinois, presented by GEICO.

The event has grown from one location in 1999 to 20 locations across the state this year. The Polar Plunge series will kick off with a Super Plunge -- where participants raise a minimum of $2,500 and plunge into Lake Michigan once an hour every hour for 24 hours -- on Feb. 24-25 at Northwestern University's North Beach in Evanston.

Any adventurous soul is invited to join law enforcement officers, as well as media and business and civic leaders from their community, by donning bathing suits, costumes or any clothing of choice (just no wetsuits!) to jump in a lake. Each plunger must collect a minimum of $75 in donations that will be used to support Special Olympics programs in Illinois.

Individuals and teams can register at http://www.plungeillinois.com/ or by contacting the Special Olympics Illinois staff at the end of the article.

Plungers are encouraged to form teams to spread the fun. Each team member must raise the minimum of $75 in donations, and all team members' individual fundraising totals will be merged to form a combined team total. Teams are placed into divisions based on size and are awarded prizes for the most money raised.

All plungers will receive gifts, compete for prizes, and enjoy food and camaraderie with other chilly participants.

The more money a plunger raises, the more chances he or she will have to win a seven-night trip for two to Riu Negril in Negril, Jamaica, courtesy of Riu Hotels and Resorts and Apple Vacations. The trip includes round-trip airfare, transfers to and from resort, all meals, drinks, and more. For every $500 a plunger raises, he or she will get an entry into the drawing for this grand prize.

The Lincoln plunge is scheduled for March 17 at the Lincoln Lakes beach. To get involved, you can contact Joanie Keyes at 217-428-9255.

___

Online:

Polar Plunges for Special Olympics Illinois

[Text from file received from Special Olympics Illinois]