You don't have to be crazy -- or chicken -- at Polar Plunge
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Members of the Hancock Polar Cops take a leap into Moorman Lake during last year’s Polar Plunge in Quincy. This year’s event is Saturday. (H-W File Photo/Michael Kipley)
By RODNEY HART
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
Do you have to be crazy to jump into a freezing pond?
Well, it might help.
The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge to benefit area Special Olympics athletes is at noon Saturday in Upper Moorman Park's Moorman Lake. As many as 300 people could be jumping into the frigid lake, all for a good cause.
"I'm doing it, and I'm questioning my own sanity most of the time for doing it," says Jill Reffett, area director of Special Olympics Illinois West Central Area 11. "If you can't call yourself insane, you probably are. If you recognize it, it's not a problem."
Yes, jumping into the lake hurts. But it's only for a second, and some actually find it invigorating -- when and if they stop shivering.
"It's small when you think what it means for our athletes," Reffett says. "I find that people really embrace that part of it. It's amazing to see the change in a person after they come out and volunteer with us."
A year ago, the 233 people who jumped into the lake raised nearly $34,000, and Reffett says registrations are ahead of last year's pace. She is hoping for up to 300 people this year, with a fundrasing target of $50,000.
All Polar Plungers are required to collect a minimum of $75 in donations. Check-in begins at 10 a.m. Plungers can register Saturday morning. Lunch will follow the plunge on site. Lunch is free for plungers and $8 for nonplungers. More information is available at www.soill.org.
People are encouraged to come in costume and to form teams. Each team member must also raise the minimum of $75 in donations, and all team members' individual fundraising totals will be merged to form a combined team total. Statewide, teams are placed into divisions based on size and are awarded prizes for the most money raised.
Each Plunger receives an official Polar Plunge sweatshirt. There are also incentive items for raising money, with grand prizes including 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 the resort, meals and drinks. For every $500 a plunger raises, he'll get an entry into the grand prize drawing.
Illinois West Central Area 11 serves athletes with intellectual disabilities in eight counties in the region.
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Members of the Hancock Polar Cops take a leap into Moorman Lake during last year’s Polar Plunge in Quincy. This year’s event is Saturday. (H-W File Photo/Michael Kipley)
