Polar Plunge Hoping To Break Last Year's Record
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Last year, thousands of people jumped into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan at North Avenue beach, along with comedian Jimmy Fallon and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. It was a social media challenge that boosted registration for this year's Polar Plunge.
"It bumped our registration, it allowed us to exceed our $1 million goal, and what it did in terms of the impact for this year is that it just built a whole lot of awareness," said Susan Nicholl, Executive Director of Special Olympics Chicago, which sponsors the annual Polar Plunge.
Nicholl said that awareness has put them 20 to 30 percent ahead of last last year's registration at this time. Last year, more than 3,200 people took part, a record for the Polar Plunge.
Water temperatures were about 10 degrees last year, but Nicholl said that doesn't stop brave plungers.
"It just speaks to the fun spirit of Chicagoans. Last year -- one of the worst winters ever -- was one of our most successful," she said.
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Each plunger creates his or her own fundraising page and is asked to raise at least $175.
Nicholl said she hopes to sign up 4,000 plungers and raise $1 million for Special Olympics this year.
The 15th annual Polar Plunge will be Sunday, March 1.
