Chicago Polar Plunge Facts

  • On March 3, 2024, Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children's Charities will be celebrating the 24th Anniversary of the Chicago Polar Plunge! 
     
  • All are welcome to take the Chicago Polar Plunge presented by Jackson! Register as an individual, join a team, or create your own fearless team to jump in the lake! 
     
  • There is no registration fee to participate, but registered in-person plungers need to raise $200 to receive these “cool” benefits: 
    • Free parking at Lincoln Park Zoo

    • Free souvenir t-shirt

    • Free towel 
       

  • The Chicago Polar Plunge has garnered national attention and attracted several celebrities over the years including Lady Gaga, Jimmy Fallon, Dax Shepard, former Chicago Bears Brian Urlacher and Otis Wilson, the cast of Chicago Fire and Chicago PD, and Al Roker and Craig Melman. We are so thrilled to have these celebrities take the Plunge but we still think Chicago’s athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities are the REAL celebrities. 
     
  • The Chicago Polar Plunge attracts people of all ages, demographics, and abilities, just like the athletes of Special Olympics Chicago. Corporations, longtime supporters, family members, friends, and public figures “Take the Plunge” each year in support of our mission.
     
  • Check out some “Fast Facts” about our plungers: 
    • In 2023, 4,900 plungers jumped into Lake Michigan for the athletes of Special Olympics Chicago! 
    • In the past 5 years, we have had supporters from 33 states, plus Canada, Switzerland, Puerto Rico, D.C. and the Virgin Islands!
    • Plungers of all ages participate, with the majority of people between ages 25-34.

Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children's Charities Facts

  • The first international Special Olympics Games were held on July 20, 1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago, with 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada competing. Special Children’s Charities was founded in 1969 as the fundraising arm to support the Special Olympics Chicago programs.
     
  • Thousands of athletes participate in the programs funded by SpecialChildren's Charities. More than 70% of those athletes and families are at or below the poverty level. 
     
  • Special Olympics Chicago serves athletes in all 50 city wards. 
     
  • The majority of the programs we fund are administered by the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Public Schools. As the needs of our athletes grow, we continue to grow as an organization and in our programming.
     
  • In addition to our athletic competitions, we offer additional opportunities such as intramural teams and skill-building events and family athletic activities such as fishing, archery, and golf.
     
  • We also provide life-enriching events such as cooking, music, and art classes as well as an Art and Music Therapy Program in CPS, an After 22 Program in the City Colleges of Chicago, and an athlete-produced cable access television show on CAN TV.