CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (December 7, 2022) — This winter, the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge will be held at 24 locations throughout the state. These events will support the thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities served by Special Olympics Illinois.
Polar Plunges will begin February 17 and continue through March 26. To find a plunge location near you, register, or donate, please visit plungeillinois.com.
This year, there are two ways participants can be cool and take the plunge in support of Special Olympics Illinois athletes. Participants 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 now open 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.
George Peterson, Senior Director — Development, LETR, recently joined the staff at Special Olympics Illinois, after more than 25 years as a police officer for the Oak Brook Police Department and more than ten years as a member of the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run.
“I’m excited for the upcoming Polar Plunge season,” said Peterson. “I have seen directly how the efforts made by the thousands of participants, across the state of Illinois, led to more competitions, more training, and more programming for these athletes. Providing more programming for our athletes means giving them more opportunities. And doing that? Well, that’s worth the icy dip.”
The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run is proud to be the statewide presenting sponsor for the Polar Plunge. The statewide gold sponsor is Jewel-Osco.
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. Any issues or liabilities arising from Chicago Polar Plunge are the sole responsibility of Special Children's Charities. Please feel free to contact Special Olympics Illinois at amcmillin@soill.org with any questions.
Presenting Sponsors for the 2022 Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run® are Casey's General Stores and Dunkin’. Gold Medal Sponsors are United Airlines and Schnucks; Silver Medal Sponsor is Metropolitan Alliance of Police; Bronze Medal Sponsors are Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, GEICO, Goodenough, and Heartland Coca-Cola; Special Olympics Illinois Partners are Gallagher, Jersey Mike’s, Jewel and Knights of Columbus.
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.
About Special Olympics Illinois
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in eighteen sports for more than 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 9,000 Young Athletes ages two to seven with and without intellectual disabilities. It strives to be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year-round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership, and personal development.
If you are interested in being a part of Special Olympics Illinois and its vision, contact your local region call our headquarters at 800-394-0562 or visit our website at soill.org. Follow Special Olympics Illinois on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
