Special Olympics Chicago Athlete Designs 2022 Polar Plunge Shirt

CHICAGO – For the first time in Chicago Polar Plunge history for Special Olympics Chicago, the official 2022 polar plunge shirt has been designed by one of its athletes, which is being presented by Jackson National Life Insurance Company.

Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children’s Charities has partnered with 21 Pineapples CEO and SOC/SCC athlete Nate Simon to create an exclusive shirt for the 2022 Chicago Polar Plunge. The Chicago Polar Plunge will take place on Sunday, Sunday, March 6 at North Avenue Beach.

The 21 Pineapples Chicago Polar Plunge shirt features Simon’s image on the front with the Chicago Polar Plunge mascot, Shiver. The shirt is available for purchase online by visiting 21 Pineapples. “Be a Good Human” hats and 21 Pineapples water bottles are also available for purchase. A percentage of all items sold is being donated to SOC/SCC.

21 Pineapples was founded by Simon in September 2021, with the core mission of changing the way others perceive individuals with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. Simon is hands-on in the designing, production, and shipping of all merchandise. The idea for the company was born from Simon’s love of Hawaiian shirts, which are a perfect fit for the 2022 Chicago Polar Plunge, which is "Back to the Beach" this year after being virtual in 2021.

Along with Hawaiian shirts, the 21 Pineapples merchandise line includes a wide variety of t-shirts and sweatshirts in youth and adult sizes. Baseball hats, beanies, stickers, magnets and water bottles with the 21 Pineapples logo or the “Be A Good Human” tagline are also available.

Simon, 19, is a Beverly resident and is the self-proclaimed “King of Tik Tok”. He is a current student at Southside Occupational High School, and has competed in the SOC/SCC program at Mt. Greenwood Park since the age of eight. Simon competes in basketball, track and field, gymnastics, swimming, powerlifting, bocce, and golf, and has been awarded hundreds of medals since joining the program.

The Chicago Polar Plunge is the largest fundraiser of the year for SOC/SCC, and helps to fund year-round programming and events to thousands of Chicago athletes with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics programs through the Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Schools. In addition to sports, the SOC/SCC also offers arts programming, an athlete-produced cable access television show, cooking nights, dance parties, special events, field trips, and more.