Diving into frosty waters in the dead of winter may seem like a crazy idea, but for those who participate in the Polar Plunge, itโs all about raising money for charity.
Every January and February, the regional Special Olympicsโ Polar Plunge takes place at Boonville, Indianaโs Scales Lake, with more and more people โ often costume clad โ choosing to take to frigid waters to help kick off the groupโs fundraising season for Special Olympics athletes.
This year, 150 community members are expected to take the plunge Feb. 1, plus 120 high school students the day prior, says Joe Frollo, director of marketing and communications for Special Olympics Indiana.
Last year, 141 members of the public and 88 Boonville high schoolers participated.
โThis is a bucket-list event that people enjoy doing,โ Frollo explains. โAlso, every penny raised by participants goes directly to the 19,000 Special Olympics Indiana athletes we serve, including 316 in Vanderburgh County.โ
In fact, Special Olympics Indiana estimates that more than 3,000 people brave the cold each year. Polar Plunge has raised $11 million-plus statewide over the eventโs 25-year history, with the Boonville event contributing nearly $58,000 in 2024.
With an increase in registration since the 2024 plunge, expectations for this year are high.
โMore than $700,000 has been raised at the Boonville plunge since the inception of that plunge venue,โ Frollo says.
