2023 Polar Plunge is This Saturday

This winter, the Effingham community invites you to be cool and take the plunge for the 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics Illinois athletes.

Effingham’s Polar Plunge will take place at Lake Sara, Effingham, IL, on Saturday, February 25. Prior to the event starting, registration will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by the plunge starting at 12:00 PM. A pre-registration event will be held on Friday, February 24 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the same location as the Polar Plunge. Participants can register here and can find additional information at plungeillinois.com. 

This year, participants may choose from two ways to take the plunge. They can attend one of the many in-person plunges hosted by Special Olympics Illinois, or they can choose to Create Your Own Plunge in their local community. Registration for both options is available at plungeillinois.com. 

Participants are asked to use the hashtag #PlungeIllinois to showcase their efforts through pictures and video, as well as to tag Special Olympics Illinois on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok at @specialolympicsillinois.  

Registered participants must raise a minimum of $100 to plunge and receive the highly-coveted 2023 Polar Plunge sweatshirt. Those who raise more than $100 may earn other incentives and prizes. 

For more information, contact the Region I Plunge Director, Vanessa Duncan, at vduncan@soill.org or 217-273-4485.

Special Olympics Illinois is the only entity in Illinois accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. and authorized by license to use the Polar Plunge® trademark and logo. Please feel free to contact Special Olympics Illinois at mmayer@soill.org with any questions. 

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run is proud to be the statewide presenting sponsor for the 2023 Polar Plunge. 

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is the single largest year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The annual intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® has raised more than $61 million since 1986 while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments. Traditionally, more than 3,000 officers in Illinois run more than 1,500 miles carrying the Flame of Hope through the streets of their hometowns and deliver it to the State Summer Games in Normal each June.