Chatham-Kent residents willing to dive into cold water for local athletes and Special Olympics Ontario still have a chance to sign up.
"Polar Plunge season is certainly starting to pick up, we have over 40 people registered for the event and counting," said police Sergeant Jason Herder.
"We are certainly hoping to increase the amount of plungers over the coming weeks," he added. Herder noted that the final push in January is normally when the group sees the most success.
The last CK Polar Plunge raised $88,500, which has been the highest amount raised locally to date. The 2023 jump also saw 150 participants take the jump, making it the third most successful fundraiser in Ontario.
This year's goal is set at $50,000. "We have raised just shy of $10,000 to date," Herder said. He explained that the amount continues to grow and the hope is to exceed last year's total.
All funds raised will go toward supporting programs and events for 23,000 athletes hoping to compete in the Special Olympic Ontario School Championships.
The Hot Tub Raffle is a big earner toward the Polar Plunge's end goal.
According to Herder, the top prize in the raffle remains unclaimed. The winner has six months to claim their prize, per the ACGO-approved rules of play.
"If the prize remains unclaimed the prize will be donated back to Special Olympics Ontario Inc, with the approval of the AGCO," Herder said.
The 7th Annual Polar Plunge fundraiser is on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Sons of Kent Brewing Company in Chatham.
-with files from Millar Hill
