Ready, set, brr!
Seven Palos Park police officers plan to participate in the 16th Annual Polar Plunge by charging into frigid waters March 5 in Manteno to help raise funds for athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.
The officers are: Commander John Sawyer, Officer Ross Ricobene, Officer Jason Caiazzo, Officer Jeremy Maske, Officer Nick Spurgash, Officer Matthew Novak and Officer Frank Slabanek.
“Our department loves participating in any and all fundraising events for Special Olympics because we get to meet so many awesome Special Olympic athletes and families,” Ricobene said. “We also get to meet with and speak to so many different people in the community that we normally might not have interactions with. These events are also great for our department morale as we get to all come together and use teamwork to raise money for a great cause.”
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Since 2014, the department has actively participated in the Polar Plunge. . Last year, the department raised $5,600 for the Illinois Special Olympics, according to Ricobene.
“What inspired the Palos Park Police Department to get involved with fundraising for the . . .Special Olympics were the Special Olympic athletes and their families,” he said. “Most of us police officers got involved in this line of work to help others and especially those in need. To be able to help these athletes and their families anyway we can gives us so much joy. They inspire us.”
Meanwhile, others supporting the effort will participate in a similar event at the 16th annual Polar Plunge Chicago on March 6 at Castaways, North Avenue Beach 1603 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago.
The Polar Plunge is one of the premier fundraising events for the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics Illinois. In 2015, more than $2.25 million was raised by 7,666 plungers statewide; in 17 years, $14.5 million has been raised by more than 54,000 plungers. The event has grown from one location in 1999 to 21 locations across the state this year.
Anyone interested in donating can mail checks/money orders to the Palos Park Police Department, 8999 W. 123rd St., Palos Park, IL., 60464. Checks can be made out to the Illinois Special Olympics or they can go online to soill.org and find our Polar Plunge Team, The Palos Park Shufflers.
Kelly White is a freelance reporter of the Daily Southtown.