Taking the plunge – teams needed for upcoming Polar Bear Plunge

• Jumpers

Echo Press file photo Red union suits weren’t quite enough to keep these area firemen warm during last year’s Polar Bear Plunge. This year’s plunge is set to take place Saturday, February 28.

Talk about it

Need a reason to be freezin’? Then plan on taking a plunge into the icy waters of Lake L’Homme Dieu Saturday, February 28, to raise money for a special cause.

Local law enforcement will present the “Polar Bear Plunge,” which raises money for Special Olympics Minnesota.

The statewide event is scheduled through March with a total of 11 plunges taking place in cities throughout Minnesota, including Duluth, White Bear Lake, Willmar/Spicer, Rochester, St. Peter, Maple Grove, Alexandria, South Metro, Brainerd, Minneapolis and Eden Prairie.

In Alexandria, the Polar Bear Plunge will take place Saturday, February 28 on Lake L’Homme Dieu across from Bug-A-Boo Bay restaurant.

Registration will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the jump set to start at 1 p.m.

There is a minimum donation of $75 to take the plunge.

Organizers said it should be a fun event with many local law enforcement officers jumping, a few local teachers and many other brave souls taking the plunge.

There will be contests for the best-dressed team and a few awards, too. In addition, there will be a DJ on the ice to get the jumpers pumped up.

Last year in Alexandria, more than $14,000 was raised and about 80 jumpers took the plunge.

For more information, visit the Special Olympics Minnesota Web site at www.specialolympicsminnesota.org.

Partner event of

the Torch Run

The Polar Bear Plunge is a partner event of the Law Enforcement Torch Run that takes place later in the year.

The Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics in the world. With a mission to raise funds and awareness of Special Olympics, law enforcement officers and personnel from all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces and territories and more than 35 nations carry the “Flame of Hope” in honor of Special Olympics athletes.

The Torch Run is a running event in which officers and athletes run the “Flame of Hope” to the opening ceremonies of Special Olympics competitions.

Last year, the Torch Run in Minnesota involved more than 600 law enforcement officers and personnel representing more than 75 agencies.

The events raised more than $525,000 for Special Olympics Minnesota.

For more detailed information about the Polar Bear Plunge and the Torch Run, visit the Special Olympics Web site at www.specialolympicsminnesota.org.

Tags: polar, bear, plunge, minnesota, special, olympics, lake, lhomme, dieu