St. Charles Polar Plunge team raises more than $14,000 for Special Olympics

As the organizer of the city's Polar Plunge team, St. Charles police Detective Jen Larsen worried about the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic might have on fundraising efforts for the Special Olympics.

Then her team went out and nearly doubled the amount it raised a year ago.

So far the team has raised more than $14,000 for Special Olympics, shattering last year's mark of about $7,700. Larsen said she hopes to raise even more money later this year if they're able to hold the Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser and other events.

With smaller gatherings and social distancing still a priority, the team of St. Charles police officers, firefighters, business owners, park district and District 303 school employees, and Special Olympics athlete Janna Blowers did their duty last Saturday by plunging into the icy waters of the Elburn Fire Department's water tanks.

The Polar Plunge is a highlight compared to other fundraising events because of the opportunity for so many people to participate.

"It's a great community here and this is a way to give back," said Larsen, the school resource officer at St. Charles East High School. "You can plunge as an individual or with a team or at home. I know some people were doing snowball fights or using squirt guns.

"We're thankful to the Elburn Fire Department that we were able to find a way to do an in-person event and stay socially distanced," she said.