Taking the Plunge

This past weekend, 35 dedicated individuals from Coal City School District took a plunge in to icy water in order to support Special Olympics Illinois.  The Law Enforcement Torch Run sponsors the Polar Plunge throughout the state of Illinois in order to raise money and awareness for the athletes of Special Olympics.


Special Olympics is a global organization that "unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world.  Through programming in sports, health, education and community building, Special Olympics is changing the lives of people with disabilities solving the global injustice, isolation, intolerance and inactivity they face.  Special Olympics Illinois provides opportunities for more than 21,000 athletes, 40,000 volunteers and thousands more statewide through 18 area programs in all 102 counties of the state."




Who wouldn't want to support such an organization?!

The Polar Coalers once again raised funds over the course of 4 months in order to show support for the athletes of Special Olympics and in exchange took a plunge into some frigid water in order to honor their bravery and courage.  Due to the incredibly cold and icy weather, a modified plunge was set up off site from Loon Lake, where the plunge has traditionally been held.  With an air temperature of 8 degrees and a windchill around 10 below, it was still very "polar!"  Steam poured off of us and from the tanks of water because the air was so cold around us!!  You'll find video footage of the plunge below.



Despite the crazy weather and the modified conditions of the plunge, the Polar Coalers were proud to have raised over $21,900 for Special Olympics Illinois!!  We won the Golden Plunger for the third year in a row by raising the most money of any team that the Yorkville plunge site.  

The Yorkville plunge raised over $130,000 in total!!  I know I can speak for all of the Polar Coalers when I say that these totals warm our hearts.  

We wish the very best of luck to all Special Olympians as they continue to compete throughout the year and we echo the Special Olympics oath with you: 

"Let me win.  If I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."