“Let’s plunge!”
Adrenaline was racing as nearly 200 participants took a chilly leap into Wick’s Lake at Jumer’s Casino & Hotel in Rock Island for the annual Polar Plunge.
This 3rd annual event was held to benefit the Special Olympics. Area Director of the Special Olympics, Cathy Betar said she expected to raise about $30,000 from the event Sunday, March 23, 2014. She said all the money stays within seven local counties to benefit the 800 athletes served in the area.
“Special Olympics is always free for our athletes, so that’s a big thing and we rely solely on donations from events like this, businesses, corporations, foundations,” Betar said. “That’s how we survive, so an event like this is awesome.”
Plungers got prizes for different achievements like raising the most money, best team spirit, oldest and youngest plungers, and more. The group also got to attend a party inside Jumer’s afterward.