Maine West faculty to do Polar Plunge

A team of 10 brave souls from Maine West High School's faculty will jump in a lake Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. They are participating in the Polar Plunge to raise money for this year's schoolwide fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Team members will take the plunge at Twin Lakes, just off Route 53 in Palatine.

The Polar Plunge, which is presented by the Law Enforcement Torch Run and GEICO, involves thousands of jumpers participating in 21 locations across the state. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Illinois provides opportunities for nearly 22,000 athletes and 40,000 volunteers statewide.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to support this worthy cause can do so on the Special Olympics Illinois website, www.soill.org.

On the Polar Plunge section of the site, click on "Support a Plunger" and then type in Maine West High School under the 'Fundraiser Search.' The team members' names will appear on a drop-down menu, and donors may select any of the 10 names. All money from the team members goes into the Maine West account.

Donors can also support the team by sending a check made out to Maine West High School to Dr. Rose Garlasco at Maine West, 1755 S. Wolf Road, Des Plaines, 60018, and the money will be deposited into the Special Olympics account.

This marks Maine West's ninth year of conducting a schoolwide fundraiser for a single beneficiary. Students and staff vote for a cause to support each year. Your donation goes to a worthwhile organization that benefits not only Maine West students but the entire special needs population in our community.