High School Students Take Up Alderman's Polar Plunge Challenge

CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Polar Plunge has become an early March tradition for many groups and organizations throughout Chicagoland to support the Special Olympics Chicago program, and in 2018 there will be quite a bit of local interest in the event.

That's because 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea has challenged students at several of the neighborhood schools (and schools not in the neighborhood but ones that have many students enrolled from here) to take the plunge with him at North Avenue Beach on Sunday, March 4. And students from most of the schools have already agreed to it.

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Several students from Marist, Mother McAuley, Mount Carmel and St. Rita, many of whom are on sports teams, have accepted O'Shea's invite. Students from Brother Rice, the Chicago Agricultural High School and St. Ignatius have also been invited to join him in jumping in Lake Michigan.

“The Chicago Polar Plunge is a great opportunity to connect local athletes with disabilities with high school student athletes in a spirit of friendship for their mutual benefit,” O’Shea, a Special Olympics Chicago baord member, said. “This is a great opportunity to spread our message of inclusion, and for athletes to give back to other athletes.”

The students have been offered a discounted rate of a $100 pledge to Special Olympics to participate in the plunge. The usual minimum pledge for the event is $200. Also, any school with 20 or more students participating will receive free transportation to and from the event.

The Chicago Polar Plunge, which benefits about 7,500 athletes, has grown into the largest fundraiser for Special Olympics Chicago over the past 18 years.

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