2005 Year in Review

2005 Polar Plunge

Local participants in the 2004 Polar Plunge

The Plunge!!!!! from 2004

The Law Enforcement Torch Run 2005 Polar Plunge, to benefit Special Olympics Illinois will be held March 5, 2005 at Sunrise Beach, Lake Bluff, Illinois.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest fundraising event benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. It is an annual intrastate relay fund-raiser conducted by officers representing every branch of law enforcement across the state from local police officers to FBI agents. The Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised more than $9 million over 19 years while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments.

The Polar Plunge, as the name implies, participants raise at least $75 in donations from friends, family and co-workers, in exchange for jumping into icy waters in the middle of winter. All proceeds collected by plungers benefit Special Olympics Illinois athletes. This “unbearable” event is the project of the Law Enforcement Torch Run with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward its fundraising efforts for Special Olympics Illinois.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization providing year-round sports training and competition to nearly 20,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the state. Illinois is divided into 17 areas, which manage Special Olympics events in the communities with the assistance of local volunteer committees.

Registration beings at 11 a.m. on March 5, at the Lake Bluff Park District building located at Green Bay Road and Washington Street. To get to the park district building, take 294 North to Route 176 (turn left at the light). Take Route 176 to Green Bay Road (Route 131). Turn left onto Green Bay Road. Follow it to the first street on the left, which is West Washington Street. Follow the signs to the building.

All Polar Bears will then be bused to Sunrise Beach in Lake Bluff to plunge at 1 p.m. and will be bused back to the Park District building for the post-plunge party.

If you would like to participate in this Polar Plunge or not brave enough to plunge but would like to donate to this worthy cause contact: Pat Carney at (815) 772-5221 or Andy Henson at (815) 772-5209. You can also register online at www.soill.org.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
February 14, 2005