Law Enforcement Torch Run 20th Anniversary Polar Plunge Season Kicks Off In Lake Michigan 2/15

24 Events Around State to Support Special Olympics Illinois

News provided by

Feb 12, 2019, 09:07 ET

EVANSTON, Ill., Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Polar Plunge will kick off its 2019 season with the SUPER Plunge this weekend at Clark Street Beach in Evanston. It is the first of 24 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunges around the state (including 7 in Chicagoland) that benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

Nearly 50 SUPER Plungers will begin jumping into Lake Michigan at 2 pm. Friday, Feb. 15. The Plunging elite will continue plunging once an hour for 24 hours until 1 pm Saturday, Feb. 16.

Participants bravely "Plunge" into the freezing water of Lake Michigan to support the 23,000 Special Olympics Illinois athletes that compete statewide.

Chicago Blackhawks fans are invited to join Tommy Hawk for the 2019 Blackhawks Plunge Hour during the SUPER Plunge on Feb. 16 at 10:00 am. Participants must raise a minimum of $100.

Everyone is invited to plunge with local law enforcement officers at one of 23 "traditional" Plunges (one plunge per participant) happening statewide. Each Plunger must raise a minimum of $100 and will receive a Polar Plunge hooded sweatshirt.

Locations include:
February 16 – Effingham, Peoria (NEW)
February 17 – Evanston, Galesburg
February 23 – Bloomington, Carlyle, Mendota, Quincy, SIU
February 24– Fox Lake
March 2 – Decatur, Manteno, Oak Brook, Springfield, Rend Lake, Rockford
March 3 – Yorkville, and Macomb
March 8 – Belleville
March 9 – Joliet, Mahomet
March 10 – Palatine
March 24 – Rock Island

This is the 20th Anniversary of the Polar Plunge during which time more than 72,500 plungers have raised more than $20.6 million for the 23,000 athletes and 20,000 Young Athletes of Special Olympics Illinois. Plungers are invited to join the conversation and share why they are #FreezinForAReason on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more information, please visit www.plungeillinois.com.

GEICO, RIU Hotels & Resorts, and Apple Vacations are proud to be the Statewide Presenting Polar Plunge Sponsors. This year's Gold-Level SUPER Plunge Sponsors are Fox 32 Chicago and US Foods. Thank you to all our 2019 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge Sponsors.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is the single largest year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The annual intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® has raised more than $47 million over 32 years while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments.

SOURCE Special Olympics Illinois