Sign up to take Super Plunge for Special Olympics Illinois
The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run invites the public to join the Polar Plunge elite and take the Super Plunge for the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.
The league of nearly 60 Super Plungers will begin jumping into Lake Michigan at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at 2311 Campus Drive, Evanston. The Plunging elite will continue plunging once an hour for 24 hours until 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22.
Plunge registration is now open. Plungers can register at www.plungeillinois.com or by emailing Jim Fitzpatrick at jfitzpatrick@soill.org.
Each Super Plunger and their sidekick/support person will live in a heated tent on the beach during this event. Anyone who is ready to "be bold and get cold" for Special Olympics Illinois can be a Super Plunger. Each Super Plunger is asked to raise a minimum of $2,500 to participate.
Super Plunge is one of 25 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunges around the state (including seven in Chicagoland) that will benefit Special Olympics Illinois. These "traditional" Plunges are one Plunge per person and the fundraising minimum is $100. Participants receive a Polar Plunge hooded sweatshirt.
This year features three new Plunges. Locations include:
• Feb. 15: Peoria
• Feb. 16: Fox Lake
• Feb. 20: Edwardsville (new: Exclusive Cool School Plunge)
• Feb. 21: Super Plunge
• Feb. 22: Bloomington, Quincy
• Feb. 24: Evanston, Galesburg
• Feb. 29: Carlyle, Effingham, Macomb, Mendota, Oak Brook, SIU
• March 1: EIU Glow (new), Yorkville
• March 6: Belleville
• March 7: Decatur, Manteno, Rend Lake, Rockford, Springfield
• March 14: Braidwood (new)
• March 15: Rock Island
• March 21: Mahomet
• March 22: Palatine
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 is the Statewide Presenting Polar Plunge sponsor.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the 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 nearly $52 million over 33 years while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments.
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 17,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support.
If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call (800) 394-0562 or visit www.soill.org.
Follow Special Olympics Illinois on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.