02-03-2025
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.
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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.
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'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.'
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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.
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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.
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