Polar Plunge participants make a splash for a good cause

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Participants took the plunge for a great cause at the Macomb Polar Plunge this year.

The event started in 2019. It raises money for the Special Olympics Michigan. This year, the plunge took place at MacRay Harbor in Harrison Township on Feb. 22.

Kayla Kubik, coordinator of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, said they provide year-round training for the Special Olympics athletes.

“When people are fundraising for our polar plunge, all proceeds go directly to our athletes,” Kubik said.

The money covers registration fees, tournaments, uniforms and more.

Kubik said people usually find out about the polar plunge by word of mouth. She said there are some participants who take the plunge every year and they bring their friends and family with them. She said a lot of people experience shock when they first hit the water.

“They are coming back year after year, so that minute of freezing cold is, they know what it’s doing for our athletes so it’s a great sacrifice they’re willing to make,” Kubik said.

This year, plungers and others raised $70,700 to meet their goal. Last year, they raised around $88,000.

The Macomb Polar Plunge is hosted by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, a campaign to benefit the Special Olympics that hosts plunges across the state.

“This is our largest fundraising series,” Kubik said. “So they put it on and then we have teams that just continue to come back year after year and fundraise.”

Kubik said it’s fun to see these participants, growing relationships with them and watching as their goals rise.

Kubik said costumes are encouraged but not required.

“We do have awards for the best costume,” Kubik said.

She went on to say they love to see the creativity participants bring.

Plungers donned a wide variety of costumes this year including lions, characters from the “Wizard of Oz” and Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen.” They then jumped into the freezing cold water at MacRay Harbor with safety personnel close by, just in case.

Though there is no age limit for participants, those 18 and younger must have a parent sign a waiver.

Kubik said she loves to see the community come together.

“Everyone is there for the same reason, for our athletes,” Kubik said. “And it’s just such a fun community event to see all different groups of people get together for one reason.”

Chris McClellan, a St. Clair resident, said he’s always raised money for the Special Olympics and thinks it’s a great cause. This was his first time participating in the polar plunge.

“I think that more people should be interested and raising money for the Special Olympics,” McClellan said.

He went on to say it’s amazing they reached their goal that day.

Francis Smith is an Algonac resident and owns the Tombstone Brewery in Chesterfield. He said they’ve been supporting the Special Olympics for years. He thinks more people should participate.

“I think this is a fun thing to do where people can get out and support a good cause,” Smith said.

Krista Rybarczyk, a St. Clair resident, said her friend brought up the polar plunge at their church and asked who wanted to join. She said she thinks everyone should do it.

“I think everyone should come out and raise money for the Special Olympics and it’s going to be fun,” Rybarczyk said.

Ronda Lamas, a Harrison Township resident, said she has two sisters who used to participate in the Special Olympics and that it’s near and dear to her heart. She also knows others who are involved. This was her first time taking the plunge.

“This is just an exciting group of people and an awesome charitable event and I recommend anybody (if they) want to volunteer or donate or participate, this is an awesome one to do,” Lamas said.