Greenwood resident Liam Price cannonballs into the pool at the 2023 Polar Plunge at Dye’s Walk Country Club in Greenwood.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The shock and discomfort only lasts a few seconds.
But the benefits of the annual Polar Plunge can resonate for generations. The money generated by the fundraiser guarantees Special Olympics athletes in Johnson County and beyond can compete in the sports they love, which helps build confidence, social skills and other positive attributes.
All in exchange for a dip in an icy pool.
Special Olympics supporters will again gather at Dye’s Walk Country Club for the annual Greenwood Polar Plunge on Feb. 10. More than 100 people will brave the winter chill for a few seconds in the pool, all to raise money for Special Olympics athletes.
Now in its 25th year, the fundraiser has become a beloved cold-weather tradition throughout Indiana. The impact has been immeasurable since it started.
“We all know the great benefits of sports — it’s so much more than the sport itself,” said Stephanie Manner, director of strategic projects for Special Olympics Indiana and organizer for the Greenwood event. “Sports keep you healthy and active. It’s not just physical health, but it’s learning responsibility, learning structure and teamwork — all of those things that we know are really great about sports that we just don’t think about all the time.”
The Polar Plunge has been a primary fundraiser for Special Olympics Indiana since 1999. Across the state, communities host events, as participants raise money for the privilege of submerging in cold water.
All funds benefit Special Olympics athletes throughout Indiana, making sure children and adults with intellectual disabilities can participate in the state’s sports, health, education and leadership programs at no cost.
“They’re never asked to pay. Some of them could, but some of them wouldn’t be able to participate if they were asked to pay,” Manner said. “This is how we raise those funds.”
Special Olympics Indiana also provides important services to area athletes in addition to competition, including health screenings at events and programs teaching public speaking, technology and leadership.
To date, the Polar Plunge has generated more than $11 million for those programs through Special Olympics Indiana.
“We started at one location with around 30 people. Last year, we had just under 3,500 people across central Indiana,” Manner said. “We usually have 16 to 20-some plunge sites across the state.”
People must raise at least $99 to take part. This year, 19 events will be held across Indiana from Feb. 2 through March 2, with more than 3,000 people anticipated to take the plunge this year.
All plungers who raise the $99 minimum will receive an official Polar Plunge long-sleeve T-shirt on the day of the event. Additional fundraising goals are available, with the potential to win a Polar Plunge towel, sling bag or robe.
“There is still plenty of time to take part,” Manner said. “The average person who plunges raises about $200. So it’s a $99 minimum, but you don’t have to pay anything to sign up. We just ask you to do the fundraising, and it’s very simple to do.”
Greenwood has been hosting a Polar Plunge since 2019. Last year’s event included 163 plungers, who raised $43,509.91 for Special Olympics.
One of the most active teams locally has been Johnson County Fraternal Order of Police No. 154. Nicknamed Johnson County SuperTroopers, the group donated more than $5,000 last year to the event.
The organization makes Special Olympics one of its highest priorities, and members look forward to the Polar Plunge each year.
“The FOP and its members just love being a part of the Special Olympics. To know that the money we donate to the plunge helps the athletes attend the Olympic Summer Games and other local athletic events,” said Jim Engmark, secretary for Johnson County Fraternal Order of Police and lead for the group’s Polar Plunge team. “Without that, they just couldn’t do it.”
While the core of the Polar Plunge is the cold, organizers work hard to make it as comfortable as possible. All of the activities before and after the Plunge are held inside the Dye’s Walk clubhouse, so people can build up their courage before facing the cold.
All of it adds up to a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, Engmark said.
“It’s awesome. There are a lot of athletes that show up to take part in the event, so we get to go and talk to those athletes and parents and supporters. It’s just a fantastic opportunity for us as police officers as well as the FOP to show we’re here to support them,” he said.
Local residents can still register themselves or a team to take part in the Polar Plunge. The more who take part, the more good Special Olympics Indiana can do, Manner said.
“That’s where the magic happens — people come and invite people to donate, and that’s how we make it happen for the athletes,” she said.
AT A GLANCE
2024 Polar Plunge
What: An annual fundraiser that gets people together to jump in a cold pool, with proceeds raised by participants supporting Special Olympics Indiana.
When: 11 a.m. Feb. 10; registration is from 9-10:30 a.m. The Splash Bash celebration will be held afterwards.
Where: Dye’s Walk Country Club, 2080 S. SR 135, Greenwood
How to sign up: Go to PolarPlungeIN.org to register in advance and donate to participants. Walk-up registration is available on the morning of the event.
