Register for 2016 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge

Online registration has opened for one of the coolest events of the winter - the 2016 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge - to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

Individuals and teams can register for the plunge on the Special Olympics Illinois website, www.plungeillinois.com, or by contacting the Special Olympics Illinois staff listed below.

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 various weekends in February and March as part of the annual Polar Plunge presented by GEICO.

The Polar Plunge is one of the premier fundraising events for the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics Illinois. In 2015, more than $2.25 million was raised by 7,666 plungers statewide; in 17 years, $14.5 million has been raised by more than 54,000 plungers. The event has grown from one location in 1999 to 21 locations across the state this year.

The Polar Plunge season 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 - Feb. 19 and 20 at the Clark Street 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 to jump in a lake. Each plunger must collect a minimum of $100 in donations that will be used to support Special Olympics programs in Illinois.

Plungers are encouraged to form teams to spread the fun. Each team member must raise the minimum of $100 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. For every $500 a plunger raises, he/she will get an entry into the drawing for this grand prize.

Local 2016 Polar Plunge locations, dates and contact information:

• SUPER Plunge: 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 (plunging once an hour every hour for 24 hours), Lake Michigan, Clark Street Beach, Evanston. Contact: Sandy Nash, (309) 888-2551.

• Evanston: 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, Lake Michigan, Clark Street Beach, Evanston. Contact: Katie Grisham, (630) 545-3402.

• Palatine: 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, Twin Lakes, Salt Creek Park District. Contact: Jordan Feldman, (224) 234-8635.

• Fox Lake: 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, Lake Front Park. Contact: Brenden Cannon, (224) 377-8378.

• Oak Brook: 1 p.m. Saturday, March 5, Oak Brook Bath and Tennis Club. Contact: Katie Grisham, (630) 545-3402.

• Rockford: Noon Saturday, March 5, Olson Lake, Rock Cut State Park. Contact: Debbie Kelly, (815) 288-2939.

The Illinois 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 increase public awareness for the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.

Each year, more than 3,000 officers in Illinois run more than 1,500 miles carrying the Flame of Hope through the streets of their hometowns and deliver it to the State Summer Games in Normal in June.