{"id":54172,"date":"2017-03-07T19:21:17","date_gmt":"2017-03-08T01:21:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/?p=54172"},"modified":"2017-03-08T13:52:44","modified_gmt":"2017-03-08T19:52:44","slug":"taking-the-plunge-to-support-special-olympics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/taking-the-plunge-to-support-special-olympics\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking the Plunge to Support Special Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Katie Watkins <\/strong><\/p>\n

Thousands of Chicagoans jumped into Lake Michigan on Sunday morning for the 17th annual Polar Plunge, bearing the almost-freezing water to raise money for Special Olympics Chicago.<\/p>\n

The Polar Plunge kicked off at North Avenue beach about 10 a.m. with a small ceremony. Bagpipers from the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band marched into the water where they provided music for the first set of plungers, led by this year\u2019s celebrity guest, actor Dax Shepard. Over the next several hours, thousands followed suit, many dressed in costumes for the occasion.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Judges<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
A group of mothers and daughters, dressed like Things 1-4, enter the annual costume contest at the Polar Plunge at the North Avenue beach. \u201cWe\u2019re looking for creativity, excitement and everything along those lines,\u201d said one of the costume judges, Steve Janiszewski (left). (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Outdated<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
An outdated weather forecast at the lifeguard station taunts plungers. The actual water temperature was 39, with the air temperature reaching a high of 59. (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Plunger<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Stefan Rodriguez, 27, dresses up as a flower for his first Polar Plunge, inspired by GrowIt!, the mobile gardening app and startup company that he works for. (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Dax<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Actor Dax Shepard, known for his roles in \u201cEmployee of the Month\u201d and \u201cWithout a Paddle\u201d was this year\u2019s VIP (very important plunger). (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Bagpipers<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Bagpipers from the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band play songs for the first round of plungers. (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"ComEd<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
ComEd employees are among the early groups to run into the water. (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Plungers<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Miguel Colon and his cousin Jessica Venegas wait in line for their turn to enter the water. Colon is dressed as Mexican revolutionary figure Emiliano Zapata \u201craised from the dead.\u201d (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Shark<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Sharks were among one of the more popular costumes at this year\u2019s Polar Plunge. (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Plungers<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
High-fives are exchanged for successfully completing the challenge. (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"People<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Hundreds line up along North Avenue beach to watch and show their support for the Polar Plunge. (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Plungers<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Plungers are handed towels after they exit the water. (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Plungers<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Employees from Peoples Gas run for warmth after diving into the water. (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Plungers<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Tracey Steele, left, and Rebecca Richter, from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office team, celebrate after completing the challenge. Steele says this was her 11th Polar Plunge and Richter\u2019s second. (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n

Among the costumed participants was Miguel Colon, 35, who channeled Day of the Dead for his costume, dressing up as Mexican revolutionary figure Emiliano Zapata \u201craised from the dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year I wanted to represent more of my heritage,\u201d Colon said.<\/p>\n

His third Polar Plunge, Colon said the annual fundraising event is important to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have family friends who are disabled,” Colon said. “I do it for them because they enjoy the activities that the Special Olympics provides, and I want to come out here and show that I\u2019m a part of that as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Colon also said he was thankful for Sunday\u2019s warm weather. \u201cMy first year there was about a six-foot ice cap,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The water temperature on Sunday was 39, while the air temperature hit 59, according to the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n

Malory Dowdle, 23, said this was her first time doing the Polar Plunge in Chicago, although she\u2019s done it several times in Michigan. Donning a leprechaun costume, Dowdle said her trick for dealing with the cold is to not think about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve done it a few times and it goes so fast,\u201d said Dowdle, who recently moved to Chicago from Michigan. \u201cJust being here with all the energy makes it a lot more fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having volunteered with the Special Olympics before, Dowdle said it\u2019s an important organization for her to support.<\/p>\n

\u201cEver since I was little, I worked with a summer camp that supports people with disabilities, and I have a lot of friends that participate in the Special Olympics,\u201d she said. \u201cJust to see how many people are here is awesome and super encouraging.\u201d<\/p>\n

To participate, plungers must raise at least $200. They then have the option to either go knee-high, waist-high or all the way under.<\/p>\n

To help raise his $200, Stefan Rodriguez, 27, said he made a training video.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a humorous montage: me running in cold weather, rubbing ice on my body, holding my breath in a cold bathtub, reading a book in the refrigerator,\u201d Rodriguez said. \u201cI was able to raise over $500 from the video, so it was a lot of fun to make.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m from South Florida so this is going to be my first winter and my first Polar Plunge.”<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s plunge raised over $1.5 million, which will help finance programs that Special Olympics Chicago provides throughout the year for more than 6,800 athletes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s a wonderful cause. They\u2019ve got terrific programs and it helps a lot of people,\u201d said Carina Ballesteros, 38, of Burbank, Illinois, who did the Polar Plunge for the second year in a row.<\/p>\n

Photo at top: Thousands jumped into Lake Michigan this year, raising over $1.5 million for Special Olympics Chicago. (Katie Watkins\/MEDILL)<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Katie Watkins Thousands of Chicagoans jumped into Lake Michigan on Sunday morning for the 17th annual Polar Plunge, bearing the almost-freezing water to raise money for Special Olympics Chicago. The Polar Plunge kicked off at North Avenue beach about 10 a.m. with a small ceremony. 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