Fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois raised by 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge at Morgan Park CPD station

CHICAGO (WLS) — Bagpipe players led the way for a meaningful cause on Saturday morning. Almost 100 individuals then took the plunge into a deep bucket of water.

The event was held at the Chicago Police Department’s District 22 station in Morgan Park, raising funds for Special Olympics Illinois.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“I witness firsthand the impact it has on all the Special Olympic athletes. When they return home, or when my son comes home with a new medal, the pride he feels from being part of a team, competing, and being included in something is truly heartwarming,” said District 22 CPD Cmdr. Brian Kinnane.

For 26 years, the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge has supported numerous athletes participating in Special Olympics Illinois. This initiative provides them with opportunities for year-round sports competitions, training, health and wellness programs, as well as leadership and personal growth chances.

While there are different plunges across the state that the organization hosts, this event started locally in Chicago in Special Olympics Illinois Senior Director Melissa Garritano’s backyard five years ago.

“So it started off in my backyard in Mount Greenwood,” Garritano said. “We had a duck tank. We had the police officers from the 22nd district, and my daughter’s school, a lot of law enforcement. So we had a lot of parents with our kids, and it was just grown from there.”

Just last year, the event raised more than $2,400,000.

This year, organizers hoped for participants to dive a bit deeper into their pockets to help with their ongoing efforts.

“So, our hope is to continue to grow plungers like this,” Special Olympics Illinois President & CEO Peter Beale-DelVecchio said. “You know, 90 plungers today. You know, couple years from now, hopefully we’re at 180 plungers, and it just keeps doubling, years and years come, because it spreads awareness.”

“You know, oftentimes our athletes are different, and I think that we need to kind of continue to spread the word of inclusion and that everyone’s different and that’s okay,” Garritano said.