My name is Nolan Fritz and I'm fundraising for Special Olympics by participating in the 2025 Polar Plunge. Special Olympics is important to me because my sister, Tess Fritz, swam with Special Olympics IL and the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association from 2009 to 2017.
Tess worked hard to overcome adversity in and out of the pool, even having to twice relearn how to swim following severe epileptic seizures. Always undeterred, Tess always gave it her all no matter what stroke she was doing. That perseverance led her to countless State Qualifiers and to several State Championships. Every medal my sister won is a testament not just to her skill as a swimmer, but also to her bravery and resilience. "Just keep swimming", the phrase first uttered by Finding Nemo's Dory, is the perfect summation of Tess Fritz as both a swimmer and person.
Every Special Olympics athlete has a story like Tess's. Special Olympics gives its athletes purpose, belonging, and a point of pride. I believe it's especially important that everyone, especially individuals with disabilities, has something they can share with friends, family, and peers. The ability to say: "this is what I do".
That is why I'm collecting donations for Special Olympics Illinois. For your generosity, I will jump into cold Lake Michigan this Sunday, March 2nd. I am hoping to raise at least $500, but I'd be over the moon if we could surpass that goal.
Want to join Team Fritz? There are three easy ways to support my plunging efforts:
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Donate to my fundraising page!
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Join my team and take the plunge with me at North Avenue Beach on March 2, 2025.
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Help me spread the word! Share my fundraising page with your friends and family.
Thank you for reading this far and considering giving to this cause. While I still have mixed feelings about the plunge itself (looks cold!), I'm incredibly excited to raise money with my family, friends, and coworkers to help other Tess's out there chase their dreams and reach their full potential. I hope I can count on your support this year. And remember: just keep swimming
Update #4 - 3/2/25
I'm proud to share that together, we raised a grand total of $2,240.50 for Special Olympics! Equally remarkable is that over 40 of you chose to make disability advocacy a personal priority and contributed to my campaign! One last fun number for you: our team spans across two continents - we were joined by some very special European friends of mine and their equally generous families!
I can't say it enough, but I'll say it once more: thank you. Thanks to your generosity, athletes in our fair city will be able to purchase equipment, cover travel costs, and be their best selves in their respective fields. Athletes like my twin sister Tess, who changed our lives with her swimming career in Special Olympics. And thanks to your support and faith in me, I was able to take part in an unforgettable experience at today's Plunge.
That's right, I followed through! I jumped into Lake Michigan in 23°F (-5°C) degree weather. I wish you could have all been with me today, but I made a fun video documenting the day that you can enjoy at home: https://youtu.be/sDztsACeP5Y
I can't wait to do it again next year - yes, there WILL be a next year! Maybe some of you would like to join me! One more time, and from the bottom of my heart: thank you.
Update #3 - 2/22/25
Hi everyone, ONE WEEK TO GO until I jump into the lake! I've been preparing for the plunge by staying inside where it's warm - we'll see if that strategy pays off. I'm excited, I think it will be fun. As promised, it will also be documented and shared with you all over social media and email. So keep an eye out for that.
I'd like to give a big "thank you" to everyone who's contributed so far. We're just shy of the $2,000 goal, and it's still mind-boggling that we were able to raise that much money for Special Olympics together. I sure feel lucky to know so many generous people. I'll be thinking of all fo you as I take the plunge next Sunday!
Update #2 - 1/29/25
I'm very happy to share that I've passed my new fundraising goal of $1,200!!!! I can't believe this is something I get to say twice, and its thanks to the generosity of family, friends, and even a few very kind souls I haven't yet met. To all who are now part of Team Fritz: thank you for your contribution and thank you for being a Disibility Ally. The world needs disability equity and inclusion now more than ever.
Once more, I'm raising my fundraising goal to $2,000. I think we can pass this final goal - we have 32 days to go and I'm excited to involve as many folks as I can. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a difference! (and fills me with gratitude!). Thank you once more, and remember: JUST KEEP SWIMMING!
Oh, and in case you were wondering: I WILL be documenting my actual Plunge on my fundraising page and on social media, so keep an eye out for a spectacle you won't want to miss!
Update #1 - 1/21/25
I am BEYOND THRILLED to share that, in just 24 hours, I've reached my initial fundraising goal of $500!!! To those who have joined Team Fritz so far: thank you so much. I'm blown away not just by your generosity, but by the zero hesitation you showed when jumping aboard. I, too, hope to act with zero hesitation when I jump into Lake Michigan (haha).
I'd still love to involve as many people as possible, so I'm setting a new goal of $1,200. Five-hundred dollars is already so much to donate to Special Olympics, and I'm amazed that I'm able to more than double my initial goal. To that end, I'd love to invite you to join Team Fritz if you are able to contribute! No amount is too small - it truly brightens my day just getting an email that someone gave to my campaign. Once again, thank you so much for your generosity, and I look forward to seeing you (figuratively or literally) beachside come March 2nd!
