Chicagoans make a splash in Lake Michigan, raising over $35,000 for families in need

General Interest, Public Affairs, Sports, Winter 2020

Chicagoans make a splash in Lake Michigan, raising over $35,000 for families in need

February 6, 2020

By Sally Ehrmann
Medill Reports

More than 300 brave souls took a dip in freezing-cold Lake Michigan on Jan. 25 to raise money for three Chicago families in need, part of the shivering tradition of the annual Chicago Polar Bear Plunge.

The event raised over $35,000 for families, to be split evenly. Jumpers paid a $30 registration fee and then chose to set up funding pages to raise more money for the cause from their donors. Other donations came from sponsors like Tito’s Vodka, FT Cares Foundation and Blake’s Seed Based foods.

“We have three families this year,” said Saoirse O’Malley, of the organization’s family selection board. “Vanessa Hernandez is a single mom. She’s currently living apart from her children so we’re hoping to help with rent for her so she can be reunited with her kids. We have Diana Cadena. She’s a grandmother. She has four children of her own and one grandson. Her partner was recently incarcerated, and she is the sole breadwinner. So, just hoping to help her with day-to-day bills.”

The Robinson family also benefited. “Both parents have varying degrees of medical illnesses that they need monthly prescription costs covered,” O’Malley said. “They also have a son with asthma and those costs are pretty hefty. They’re all employed, but not making enough to live comfortably. We’re basically taking all the funds that we raise from the jump, 100% of the proceeds go to the families, and we issue out checks over the course of the year and then hopefully help them get on their feet a little bit.”

Brian Marshal started the tradition in 2002 when he and a few friends jumped in Lake Michigan on New Year’s Day just for fun. In 2003, he began raising funds for a cousin’s husband who needed a double lung transplant. By the next year, the benefit plunge took off.

“Once we started getting random people we didn’t know, this became more than just a family event and that changed to now, this is a Chicago event,” Marshal said. “We see people calling us up because they found us on our website. We’ve got some people who I don’t know who they are, but we’ve met once a year here. They’ve now done this for nine straight years. I love it. It’s becoming a tradition, and we really like to celebrate that.”

Since 2003, the Chicago Polar Bear Club has donated to more than 30 families and raised over $400,000 for Chicago families in need.

Jumpers take part in the plunge for many reasons, but raising funds to promote Chicago communities is one of the most salient. (Sally Ehrmann/MEDILL)

The 19th annual Chicago Polar Bear Plunge was originally set to take place at Oak Street Beach. Due to icy conditions, the Chicago Parks District moved the plunge to North Avenue Beach in Lincoln Park. (Sally Ehrmann/MEDILL)

Emergency responders stood watch near the water’s edge to monitor the safety of the jumpers. With temperatures near freezing, emergency volunteers could respond quickly to get jumpers out of the water should emergency strike. (Sally Ehrmann/MEDILL)

Jumpers add to the merriment by wearing funky outfits, from swimsuits to wizard robes and hats. The Special Olympics recommends wearing loose clothing that can easily be taken off after the plunge. (Sally Ehrmann/MEDILL)

Chicago Polar Bear Plunge founder Brian Marshal addresses the crowd before the jump. “On New Year’s Day in 2002, I convinced some buddies, and we came here at North Avenue Beach and jumped in the lake,” Marshal said. “Pretty soon afterwards, I found out that one of my cousins’ husbands needed a double lung transplant. I come from a really large family. So, I figured that if we all donated, we could hand one check to them and they wouldn’t know who gave them money. In 2003, we raised $6,000 for my cousin. Since then, we get nominees from other people from the families they know, go to church with, work with, whoever it may be. We find out who we can be the most helpful to and we raise money for them every year.” (Sally Ehrmann/MEDILL)

“When you run out there and you go under water and you come up. It takes your breath away,” said Marshal. “You freak out. And if you just take a deep breath and turn around and watch everybody else who’s doing the same thing, it’s great….I think it’s something everybody should try once. It’s not for everybody, but do it once and then say you never want to do it again.” (Sally Ehrmann/MEDILL)

One participant emerges from the freezing water. The National Weather Service reports that the air temperature at the time of the plunge was 34 degrees Fahrenheit and the water temperature hovered at a bone-chilling 39 degrees. “I hate this time of year because it’s so cold,” said Cappleman. “But this helps me enjoy it. Having a fun event on a very cold day, it helps.” (Sally Ehrmann/MEDILL)

Emotions during and after the frigid plunge varied, but everyone shared the warmth of the energy and excitement. (Sally Ehrmann/MEDILL)

Jumpers ran into the lake on one side of a closed off path, dumped their head in the water and ran out on the other side of the path to get warm. A cheering section stood by in support. (Sally Ehrmann/MEDILL)

Jumpers raced to get warm following their plunge, ripping their wet and freezing clothes off to don sweatshirts, robes and puffy jackets. The merriment continued at an after party, where the Chicago Polar Bear Club accepted more donations toward its families. (Sally Ehrmann/MEDILL)

Jumpers range in age from retired adults to little children. More than 300 people took part in this year’s jump to make it a fun memory for the whole family. (Sally Ehrmann/MEDILL)

Photo at top: Ald. James Cappleman (D-46th Ward) participated in this year’s plunge after a “double dog dare” from his neighbor. “The fun part is running in,” Cappleman said. “There’s all this exhilaration. It’s a great cause. It’s good for the spirit.” (Sally Ehrmann/MEDILL)