Be Cool. Take the Plunge to support life-changing programming for athletes across the state. Registration for 2026 is open!
Not a part of the Cool School Challenge? Find out how to get involved.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Step 1: Find a Team Captain
Appoint a designated staff member as Team Captain who will serve as the point of contact between the school and Special Olympics Illinois
Step 2: Contact Us!
Contact Debbie Kelly, dkelly@soill.org or your Regional Plunge Director to get your School registered and a fundraising site created. Pick a date for your school to TAKE THE PLUNGE!!</span
Step 3: Register Students & Staff
Once your school’s fundraising site has been created, register students and staff who are committed to raising a $100 minimum each
Register at Your School
Find the location you want to take your ice dip
Leaderboards Coming Soon
Check out our COOL Incentives in 2026
$100
Hoodie
$250
Carhartt Beanie
$500
Nike Bag
$1,000
Windbreaker
$5,000
Folding Camping Chair
Cool School Contests
Regional
Compete to be the top fundraising school in your region and claim the coveted Regional Cool School Trophy! Plus, the highest-earning team will celebrate with a Dunkin’ Party—because hard work deserves sweet rewards!
Statewide
Be the ultimate Cool School in Illinois! Raise the most money statewide and earn a school-wide Dunkin’ party (valued up to $750)—plus take home the Statewide Cool School Trophy to show off your fundraising pride!
2025 COOL SCHOOL
CHALLENGE WINNERS
Congratulations to Helen Keller Junior High School! Winner of the 2025 Cool School Challenge, raising an incredible $54,000+ in support of Special Olympics Illinois. Thank you for championing life-changing programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities and helping build a more inclusive world—one plunge at a time!
Watch Video
Resources
Downloadable Guide
Read through this information to learn more about the Cool School Challenge and how it will work at your school.
DOWNLOAD PDF
Cool School Fundraising Guide
Visit our Polar Plunge Resources page for our social media toolkit and other fundraising resources.
VIEW TOOLKIT
Social media toolkit
Share your Polar Plunge journey with your social network and more - you can use the sample posts and graphics below. Please tag Special Olympics Illinois in your posts! And, remember, funds raised through third-party pages (Go Fund Me, Facebook Donations, etc.) cannot be credited towards your fundraising efforts, so please use your personal fundraising link as noted in the sample copy.
Social Profiles
Become A unified champion school
The Unified Champion Schools strategy works to further develop inclusive learning and social environments for all students, with and without disabilities. By utilizing any of the three components - Unified sports, whole-school engagement, and inclusive youth leadership - schools can elevate the inclusion and unification among their students as well as further social emotional learning for all.
