Jimmy Fallon To Join Mayor Emanuel For Polar Plunge

(CBS) -- Organizers of the Chicago Special Olympics say they are absolutely thrilled that Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon has accepted Mayor Emanuel's dare to take the Polar Plunge to benefit the big athletic program.

It all started when Mayor Emanuel promised to jump into the icy waters if Chicago schoolchildren read two million books and they did. He has invited other celebrities to take the Polar Plunge.

Jen Kramer, president of the Chicago Special Olympics, says things just snowballed when the Mayor said he would be the guest on the Tonight Show if Jimmy Fallon would participate.

"To say it gave momentum every day is a tremendous understatement. We were a trending topic on Twitter, the Chicago Polar Plunge which is tremendous. You can't pay for that sort of PR for that sort of exposure and the buzz was paramount," said Kramer.

Kramer believes this will boost attendance for the Special Olympics and she hopes donations as well.