Polar Plungers brave chilly Oak Brook waters

When you're organizing something called a Polar Plunge, you usually expect people to have to brave some pretty frigid air and water temperatures - along with thousands of goose bumps - to raise money for a good cause.

But sometimes you catch a break.

That happened Saturday when the roughly 200 people who came out for the inaugural Plunge in Oak Brook didn't exactly have to carve their way through inches of ice to jump into the pond behind the Oak Brook Bath and Tennis Club.

But ask the folks who were there and they'll tell you it wasn't exactly a summertime dip in a heated pool, either.

So while there were fewer blue-lipped participants than there might have been, you still had to take off your hat - and coat and shoes and, well you know - to those who braved the chilly waters to raise money to benefit Special Olympics.

This was one of 21 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunges across the state and the first time one has been held in Oak Brook, said Alexandra McMillin, manager of communications for Special Olympics Illinois.

There were plenty of Oak Brook cops involved, she said, but also lots of business leaders and other volunteers willing and eager to lend a slightly-shivering hand to help athletes with intellectual disabilities in Western Cook and Eastern DuPage counties.

"It's a big mix of people," she said.

Everyone who participated had to collect at least $100 in donations and many far exceeded that total. Participants were encouraged to form teams and come in costume.

Happily, Saturday's seasonal temperatures made things a little easier for participants and organizers alike.

Bottom line: Maybe it wasn't a frigid event, but it sure was a cool one.