Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge Season Arrives!

22 Events Around The State To Support Special Olympics Illinois Athletes

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Feb 17, 2015, 06:00 ET

CHICAGO, Feb. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Polar Plunge season will kick off its 2015 season with the SUPER Plunge this weekend in Evanston. It is the first of 22 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunges (including 7 in Chicagoland) that will benefit Special Olympics Illinois in February and March around the state.

Adventurous souls are 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 wet suits!) to jump in a lake. Each Plunger must raise a minimum of $75 in donations.

The league of 55 SUPER Plungers includes law enforcement officials, Special Olympics representatives and others. They will begin jumping into Lake Michigan at Northwestern University's North Beach in Evanston at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20. The very cold but determined Plunging elite will continue immersing themselves in the icy water once an hour for 24 hours until 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21.

The following are other Plunges this year:

February 21 – Bloomington and Evanston

February 22 – Fox Lake

February 28 – Carbondale, Carlyle, Effingham, Mahomet/Champaign and Quincy

March 1 – Galesburg and Palatine

March 7 – Decatur, Lake Bluff, Manteno, Rend Lake, Rockford, Springfield and University of Illinois/Champaign

March 8 – Yorkville

March 14 – Joliet

March 21 – Lincoln

March 22 – Rock Island

For more information or to register for one of these Plunges listed above, visit the Special Olympics Illinois website at http://www.plungeillinois.com.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest year-round fund-raising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 21,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org.

SOURCE Special Olympics Illinois