Forest Preserve police team raises thousands with Polar Plunge effort
They came in hot and they got out cold Saturday at the Braidwood Recreation Club.
A team organized by the Forest Preserve District's police department was one of many participating in the 2026 Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge, where participants raised more than $175,000 for Special Olympics Illinois. The Forest Preserve District team raised more than $3,700 to beat their $3,000 goal.
"This event is important to the department because it gives us a chance to come out and raise money and awareness for Special Olympics," said Police Sgt. Rick Lewandowski. "It kicks off our fundraising year and by doing something as crazy as jumping into a freezing cold lake, it grabs attention for a great cause."
Different plungers have different approaches, but the District team tends to fully embrace the experience.
"Most of our crew are full floppers," Lewandowski said. "We are here to take the plunge, not just tiptoe on the beach."
Group by group, participants took to the water. Some were graceful. Others flopped. A handful of plungers grabbed attention not with their entry, but with their costumes or the props they brought along.
This is the first event of the year for the police team and it will be participating in a number of other upcoming events, including a Plane Pull at Lewis University, Cop on a Rooftop, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Over the past three years, the District's police department has raised nearly $35,000 for Special Olympics.
The statewide effort supports the more than 23,000 traditional Special Olympics athletes as well as 13,000 Young Athletes. Donations help provide athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics programming and reveal their inner champion.
