Thousands of swimmers took a leap into Lake Michigan at North Avenue Beach Sunday morning to raise funds for the Special Olympics Illinois at the 26th annual Polar Plunge.
Plunge organizers said around 4,300 people came to dive into waters that were around 34 degrees on a morning with temperatures in the high 20s, according to the National Weather Service. Many wore nothing more than swimsuits. Some dressed up in costumes such as The Lorax or a leprechaun.
According to the event website, the participants raised about $1.5 million of the $2 million goal. Organizers said donations will be accepted online until the end of the month.
“Because of you, every dollar we raise stays in Chicago, and it goes towards inclusive recreation and life enrichment programs for folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Amy Taylor, the executive director of Special Children’s Charities, told attendees.
All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Illinois, a nonprofit providing sports training and competition to people with intellectual disabilities. Chicago’s connection with the organization goes back to the very first Special Olympics, which was held at Soldier Field in 1968.
Plungers — ranging in age from preschoolers to retired people — made their way into the lake in groups after a bagpipe and drum performance from the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band.
Although she’s spent all 67 years of her life in Chicago, Mary Dina said Sunday morning marked her first-ever below-freezing dip into Lake Michigan. She came with her son and said she plunged because she wanted to try something “nutty.”
“I decided I was never going to do bungee jumping or parachuting, so I decided this (would) be my crazy,” Dina said.
She added that she would have liked to go all the way under, but the water was too cold and slowed her down. Dina, who lives in Lincoln Square, said she hopes to plunge again next year because she likes to support Special Olympics Illinois. Her cousin used to participate in its programs, Dina said.
Swimmers danced and cheered together to stay warm, and volunteers met them with towels and music on their way out. Chicago police officers and firefighters waited in and around the water to provide assistance.
According to organizers, elected officials, journalists from local TV stations and cast members from Chicago-based TV shows like “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago Med” were among those in the water on the first day of March, which is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Special Olympics Illinois is also an important cause for 29-year-old La Trell Washington of Edgewater. He said he has family members and close friends with intellectual disabilities. Washington said he enjoys supporting what he considers his community.
Washington came to his fifth Polar Plunge with other regular customers of My Buddy’s, a bar he frequents that hosts social events. He fully submerged himself in his “Star Wars” stormtrooper costume and mask, even though he described the water as unbelievably cold.
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“Anyone from Chicago will understand how actually cold it is, and we’re still out here supporting,” he said.
The last of the plungers made their way into the water about an hour after the event’s start. Many quickly ran into changing rooms and tents to warm up.
But Andrea Bejarano, a 35-year-old living in River North, said she wasn’t fazed by the cold. In fact, she enjoys it. Bejarano said this was her eighth time with Polar Plunge, and she jumps in Lake Michigan about once every two weeks in the winter with Chicago Plunge.
Bejarano came to the event dressed in an inflatable cow costume that matched the costumes of her coworker and coworker’s daughter. And although she couldn’t feel her feet after the plunge, Bejarano said it is — as always — worth it.
“I started because I love the cold,” Bejarano said. “So when they were like, ‘You can jump in the water and raise money for Special Olympics Illinois,’ it was a win-win for me.”