Polar plungers dive into chilly, ice-free Lake Riley for Special Olympics fundraiser

If you hadn’t known it was March 9, you would be excused for thinking that the more than 600 people lining up to sprint into a brilliant blue Lake Riley Saturday under bright sunny skies were just there for a dip in the lake.

Of course, although ice-free, the waters of Lake Riley remained chilly – if not cold. And those brave people were participating in Eden Prairie’s Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics Minnesota.

Temperatures were in the mid-30s, accompanied by a stiff breeze. The contingent of plungers from the Eden Prairie police and fire departments was the first to hit the water, followed by groups both large and small. Many of them were in colorful garb, some carrying props and swimming tubes, and all of them wading into waist-deep water to high-five the event’s Polar Bear mascot, who was seated comfortably in a fire department rescue boat.

Plungers then hustled back to shore – and a warm changing tent. Some were braver than others, diving beneath the surface for the full polar plunge experience.

Participants in the Eden Prairie event had raised $177,000 as of Saturday, closing in a goal of $210,000, according to the Eden Prairie Polar Plunge website. The Eden Prairie Plunge has raised nearly $2 million in its 16-year history. In 2023, 645 Plungers raised $204,316.

The Eden Prairie plunge is one of more than 20 events in the state supporting Special Olympics Minnesota. Plungers were required to raise at least $75 to participate. About 18,500 participants have raised nearly $5 million at this year’s events across the state, according to the Minnesota Polar Plunge website.

The Polar Plunge is Special Olympics Minnesota’s biggest fundraiser. The organization uses the funds to provide year-round training and services to thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state.

Events are organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), a group of volunteers dedicated to increasing awareness and raising funds for Special Olympics Minnesota.

Law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes, known as Guardians of the Flame, carry the “Flame of Hope” into the opening ceremonies of local, state, provincial, national, regional, and world Special Olympics games. Every year, more than 97,000 law enforcement members carry the torch, symbolizing courage and celebration of diversity, uniting communities around the globe.

The LETR has raised more than $46 million for Minnesota’s Special Olympics programs.