Olson Lake Polar Plunge benefits Special Olympics Illinois

COURTESY PHOTO The Journal
The Rockford Police Bobbers were out in force for the Polar Plunge in Olson Lake.

Polar Plungers braved the frigid water of Olson Lake, on Saturday, March 7. The funds raised from the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge will benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois. The Olson Lake Plunge took place at Rock Cut State Park, 7318 Harlem Road, Loves Park. Registration began at 10:30 a.m.

All Polar Plungers were required to collect a minimum of $100 in donations. They were encouraged to come in costume and to form teams.

To form a team, each member (minimum of five people to qualify) needed to raise a minimum of $100 in donations. Meeting those requirements qualified plungers for team prizes.

Plungers received incentive prizes based on the amount of money they raised. By raising the minimum of $100, they received an official Plunge hooded sweatshirt. Sweatshirts were available on a first-come, first-serve basis the day of the plunge. All individuals who did not receive a sweatshirt or other incentive level prizes will be mailed a corresponding prize in April.

Over the past 21 years, more than 78,000 plungers have raised more than $22 million. Those ready to #beboldgetcold this winter are invited to join the conversation and share on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

GEICO, RIU Hotels & Resorts, and Apple Vacations are proud to be the Statewide Presenting Polar Plunge Sponsors.

Statewide Grand Prize Sponsor: Heartland Coca-Cola

Gold-Level Sponsors: Alpine Kiwanis, Aramark, Peak Sports, Rockford Register Star, Salamone’s North, The Blazer Foundation, Townsquare Media, and WIFR.

Thank you to all our 2020 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 $56 million over 34 years while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and over 17,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. 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 our website at www.soill.org. Follow Special Olympics Illinois on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Special Olympics Illinois is the only entity in Illinois accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. and authorized by license to use the Polar Plunge trademark and logo. Please feel free to contact Special Olympics Illinois at [email protected] with any questions.