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Plunger Resources

Thank you so much for participating in the 2025 law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Please use the buttons below to find the materials that will help guide you as you get ready to BE COOL and TAKE THE PLUNGE

We encourage you to personalize your messaging and share your WHY. Tell others what Special Olympics Illinois means to you by sharing your stories, pictures, and experiences.

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Boost your fundraising efforts with these tips and tricks

Getting Started

Once you register, set a fundraising goal. Then, customize your registration page with your photos and share “WHY” you’re taking the plunge in support of Special Olympics Illinois. If you’ve taken the plunge before make sure you share those photos on your social channels and share your COOL experience.

Registration Instructions

Boosting Donations

  • Start your fundraising by adding a personal contribution. 
  • Reach out to family and friends to support your icy dip.  
  • Get creative with posting to all your followers on social media, have a “Polar Plunge Prep Challenge” where your followers can donate to you as you share the “cool” ways your prepping to take the plunge
  • Frequent a coffee shop or another local business? Ask if they would be willing to put out a donation jar to help you raise funds
  • Get your entire team involved, host a trivia night, a bake sale or sell some Polar Plunge friendship bracelets!

Inspiration

Connect with your local region and get involved with athletes in your area! Share your experiences from cheering on athletes at sporting events or being a Unified partner.

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 Image

To use in your feed on your favorite social networks

Download

Social Image

To use in your feed on your favorite social networks

Download

Social Image

To use on social stories on Facebook or Instagram

Download

Social Image

To use on social stories on Facebook or Instagram

Download

Sample Posts

Post #1

"I’ve pledged to #PlungeIllinois this year, and I need your help! Every year, Special Olympics Illinois hosts hundreds of events for persons with intellectual disabilities, and FYI - each donation of $150 sends one athlete to a competition. Help me make a difference by donating today! [INSERT PERSONAL FUNDRAISING LINK]"

Post #2

I’m taking on #PlungeIllinois to support the thousands of athletes that compete with Special Olympics Illinois. This organization changes lives by unleashing the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day. Join in supporting the mission. Donate here: [INSERT PERSONAL FUNDRAISING LINK].

Post #3

I have chosen to #PlungeIllinois this year in support of the life-changing mission of Special Olympics Illinois. When you donate, you help thousands of athletes in Illinois realize their full potential in sports and in life. So BE COOL and join me in helping to make the world a more inclusive place! Donate: [INSERT PERSONAL FUNDRAISING LINK]

Social Profiles

Special Olympics Illinois Social

Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run

Videos

Listen to the Mustn’ts

So I Did

Unified Champion School Statistics

Additional Resources

Sample Email

Use this email to solicit donations for your Plunge.

Download Word Doc

Email Signature Banner

Add this banner to your email signature to show off your Plunge participation.

Download

Offline Donation Tracking

Use this to track donations not made through your fundraising page.

Download

Donor Receipts

Use this to for receipts for donations not made through your fundraising page.

Download

Contact Your Local Plunge Director

Name(Required)
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Katie Risley

krisley@soill.org

Region A

Contact

Jordan Feldman

jfeldman@soill.org

Region B

Contact

Katelin Zandi

kzandi@soill.org

Region C

Contact

Patty Welsh

pwelsh@soill.org

Region E

Contact

Katie Grisham

kgrisham@soill.org

Region F

Contact

Bailey Levine

blevine@soill.org

Region G

Contact

Tara Nickerson

tnickerson@soill.org

Region H

Contact

Vanessa Duncan

vduncan@soill.org

Region I

Contact

Tim Stempel

tstempel@soill.org

Region J

Contact

Jaedyn Beers

jbeers@soill.org

Region K

Contact

Stay Connected

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Special Olympics Illinois Social

Share your Polar Plunge journey with our online community. Be sure to tag Special Olympics Illinois and use #PlungeIllinois to connect with other warm-hearted individuals across the state.

Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run

Connect with the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run through social media. And, be sure to tag these channels so we can stay up to date with your activities.

View Polar Plunge Safety Policy

Please be safe with your Create Your Own Plunge choices. Special Olympics Illinois is not responsible for any injuries that occur while participating in the Create Your Own Plunge option.

Those choosing to Create Your Own Plunge are encouraged to be safe with their Create Your Own Plunge choices. Special Olympics Illinois utilizes a professional dive team in the water and emergency responders to ensure the safety of our participants at traditional Polar Plunges. Do not attempt to jump into a lake, river, or any other open body of water for the Create Your Own Plunge. Participants should not do anything that could physically harm themselves or others. Special Olympics Illinois is not responsible for any injuries that occur while participating in the Create Your Own Plunge.