Photos: 2025 Polar Plunge Chicago
The annual Polar Plunge Chicago, benefiting Special Olympics Illinois and Special Children's Charities, took place Sunday, March 2, 2025, at North Avenue Beach. Over 4,000 people jumped into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan, with an air temperature in the 20s. The event's goal this year was to raise $2 million.
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Chicago Tribune
03-03-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Photos: 2025 Polar Plunge Chicago
The annual Polar Plunge Chicago, benefiting Special Olympics Illinois and Special Children's Charities, took place Sunday, March 2, 2025, at North Avenue Beach. Over 4,000 people jumped into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan, with an air temperature in the 20s. The event's goal this year was to raise $2 million.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
25th Polar Plunge Chicago is Sunday at North Avenue Beach, benefits Special Olympics Illinois
CHICAGO — Thousands of brave people will embrace the frigid winter waters of Lake Michigan by jumping in Sunday for the 25th Polar Plunge Chicago. About 5,000 people are expected to take the plunge at North Avenue Beach, with air temperatures in the 20s and water temperatures in about the mid-30s — actually not too bad compared to some past years. Conservation experts gather for Wild Things Conference Polar Plunge Chicago is presented by Special Children's Charities, with a goal of raising $2 million for Special Olympics Illinois. As of 8 a.m. Sunday, the goal was 83% reached, with just over $1.66 million raised. Visit to donate or for more information. 'It's beautiful,' Amy Taylor, executive director of Special Children's Charities, said of Sunday morning's conditions at North Avenue Beach. 'We could not have asked for better weather. '… We had that cold snap, so the water was just a sheet of ice. We've been out here for about two weeks breaking up the (ice) and pounding out the sand, so all the conditions are ideal.' About 4,500 local athletes compete in a variety of Special Olympics sports and activities in and around Chicago, from bowling to basketball to rowing. 'Anything that you can imagine,' Taylor said. Money raised by events like Polar Plunge Chicago helps pay for things like transportation, sports equipment and space rental. It's the biggest annual fundraiser for Special Children's Charities and Special Olympics. 'I've had the chance to talk with a lot of different families whose children are enrolled in our programs, and it's just such a special day for them,' Taylor said. 'They are bringing their friends and family, and it almost feels like a holiday of sorts.' GoFundMe set up to support family of Teone Jones, killed in triple stabbing; mother speaks, updates condition of Jones' sons Tiffany McFadden, a Polar Plunge Chicago volunteer, has competed in Special Olympics since 2015. 'I compete in all the sports,' McFadden said. 'I compete in basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, bocce. '… I have learned a lot of stuff that I did not learn before. I love all the athletes. I love to compete. I love my coaches. I love the volunteers when they come and help. And I definitely love Children's Charities. They have helped us a lot, and I'm glad to be here today.' McFadden says she'll be checking wristbands at Polar Plunge Chicago to make sure participants go to the right place. But her Special Olympics coaches are also trying to get McFadden to jump in Lake Michigan, too. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines So how's that going? 'Yeah, it's not going to work!' McFadden declared. 'I'm here to support, so that's what I'm going to do, and I'm going to cheer them on. 'I'm going to let them jump in the lake!' The first wave of Polar Plungers is set to jump in Lake Michigan at about 10 a.m. Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Yahoo
People take icy plunge in Mahomet for a heartwarming cause
MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — Over 300 people braved the cold weather today in Mahomet to polar plunge, while supporting a heartwarming cause. It was to raise cold hard cash for Special Olympics Illinois. Participants took donations of $100 or more for the privilege to jump in the lake. And all the money raised goes to making sure special athletes can have a special experience for free. Pre-K students make seniors' Valentine's Day special in Champaign On Saturday, hundreds of people from across Central Illinois slipped into their bathing suits and costumes for the 25th annual law enforcement torch run polar plunge. 'This is the second longest polar plunge in the state of Illinois,' said Torch Run Coordinator Micah McMahon. He's also a Champaign County corrections officer and has been helping run the plunge since 2016. 'It's a great feeling getting to see that the money we're raising is ensuring that our athletes get to do their events for free at no cost,' McMahon said. As of Saturday morning, they raised just under $78,000. McMahon said their numbers have been going up every year apart from 2020, something one athlete is excited for. 'We need action now;' Urbana Police Chief lays out plan for violent crime 'It's amazing,' said Polar Plunge Ambassador Emerson Hjort. 'We love it. Tons of people always come out, always supporters, always help us to raise different kind of money.' Emerson said she was plunging today. She talked about how she was feeling before. 'In this winter, I'm a little bit nervous,' Hjort said. 'I'm a little bit nervous to slip and fall. It's part of the fun part of the cause.' The good news is pretty much everyone is nervous. But they're not doing it alone, and McMahon said that's the best part. 'When you build your teams up, raise that money, and then you go out there and jump into the water, get out and then get some lunch afterwards,' McMahon said. 'And it's a great time.' If you missed Saturday's dip in the lake, you still have time to find one. There's a couple different options across Central Illinois over the next couple weeks. You can visit this website to learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
