TWITTER: An Inside Look At Special Olympics Chicago's Polar Plunge
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Sunday marked the 17th annual Special Olympics Chicago Polar Plunge, where participants plunge into Lake Michigan at North Avenue Beach.
Thousands of people, and a few celebrities, gathered to support a good cause that benefits Special Olympics Chicago and the programs it delivers to 6,800 athletes throughout the year.
The morning started bright and early.
This sunrise marks the start of Plunge Day! Joining us today? Tag us & share your photos using #ChicagoPolarPlunge! pic.twitter.com/E1LC07GX1r
— Special Olympics Chicago (@SpecialOChi) March 5, 2017
Hills Bros coffee gave off free samples of coffee to all that came out to support Special Olympics Chicago.
Happy Sunday! @SpecialOChi #ChicagoPolarPlunge #WarmUpWithHillsBros pic.twitter.com/w6r3pNy7PR
— Hills Bros. Coffee (@hillsbroscoffee) March 5, 2017
And Chicago Bear legend Brian Urlacher served up bratwursts with Johnsonville.
Big Taste Grillmaster @BUrlacher54 serving up brats for a great cause at #PolarPlunge Chicago! pic.twitter.com/EiX7JXqown
— Johnsonville (@Johnsonville) March 5, 2017
Warm brats served Sunday at North Ave. Beach in #Chicago for #PolarPlunge 9-noon. Pls visit us and support @SpecialOChi! pic.twitter.com/kRRJV5CXHC
— Johnsonville (@Johnsonville) March 5, 2017
Polar Plunge + hot brats = happy plungers ???????????? pic.twitter.com/svioje6b3w
— Johnsonville (@Johnsonville) March 5, 2017
Ain't no better way than brats hot off the grill to thank Chicago's finest @ChicagoFire for all their hard at #PolarPlunge! pic.twitter.com/EJ1ic2HIfl
— Johnsonville (@Johnsonville) March 5, 2017
ComEd was a big sponsor for the event, bringing a large group of both plungers and supporters.
Almost time to #MakeASplash into the cold water of Lake Michigan with @SpecialOChi for the #PolarPlunge! The #ComEdCoolers are READY! pic.twitter.com/DEYR6a7Icl
— ComEd (@ComEd) March 5, 2017
Here's a look at the #ComEdCoolers team and their first chilly dip into Lake Michigan! #PolarPlunge pic.twitter.com/cdXHd0oMKM
— ComEd (@ComEd) March 5, 2017
The #PolarPlunge is on fire! #ComEdCoolers are taking on the chilly temps of Lake Michigan w/ @SpecialOChi, @daxshepard1 and @OtisWilson_55 pic.twitter.com/dBVxGtEYXc
— ComEd (@ComEd) March 5, 2017
It's almost time! #ComEdCoolers #ChicagoPolarPlunge pic.twitter.com/y5HKiNV6GR
— Primera Engineers (@PrimeraEng) March 5, 2017
Peoples Gas tweeted, "Team Kevin brought the heat! Thank you to our #PeoplesGasPlungers for raising over $60,000 for @SpecialOChi. #MakeASplash"
Team Kevin brought the heat ????! Thank you to our #PeoplesGasPlungers for raising over $60,000 for @SpecialOChi. #MakeASplash pic.twitter.com/SS8OsFreG5
— Peoples Gas (@PeoplesGasCHI) March 5, 2017
And more in blue from PeoplesGas proud to have completed the plunge.
We did it!!! #PeoplesGasPlungers #MakeASplash #PolarPlunge pic.twitter.com/wxgxJCZt9z
— Vanessa Hall (@msvhall) March 5, 2017
Survived the Polar Plunge!!! What a great day supporting Special Olympics. #PeoplesGasPlungers #MakeASplash pic.twitter.com/MlqgvOWmYZ
— Vanessa Hall (@msvhall) March 5, 2017
Chicago's 1871 also had a group of plungers.
The team is ready! Minutes away from plunging! #ChicagoPolarPlunge pic.twitter.com/vOviURniRX
— 1871 Chicago (@1871Chicago) March 5, 2017
And Emerging Leaders Chi...
Freezin' for a reason...had a blast supporting @SpecialOChi today for the #ChicagoPolarPlunge! #ELChicago pic.twitter.com/UAwctPkBVZ
— Emerging Leaders Chi (@ELChicago_CCC) March 5, 2017
And Mt. Carmel High Schools's football team.
The Caravan is ready to take #ChicagoPolarPlunge! @CaravanFootball @caravanlacrosse #WeAreMC pic.twitter.com/up73riL29P
— Mount Carmel H.S. (@MountCarmelHS) March 5, 2017
The Men of Mount Carmel, fresh out of the frigid waters for the @ChiPolarPlunge! #WeAreMC pic.twitter.com/k8JstXAdiy
— Mount Carmel H.S. (@MountCarmelHS) March 5, 2017
Round 1! #ChicagoPolarPlunge #WeAreMC pic.twitter.com/0lMZ11IadX
— Mount Carmel H.S. (@MountCarmelHS) March 5, 2017
Costumes are a common thing to see at the Polar Plunge -- and though this group does not seem to have a theme, they sure were ready for a morning full of fun, while supporting a good cause.
And a Dolly Parton group...
Team Gryffindor took the plunge, sporting Harry Potter scars on their forehead.
Took the plunge! #MakeASplash #ChicagoPolarPlunge #SpecialOlympics #TeamGryffindor pic.twitter.com/kZjDq7lnig
— Elizabeth Hauser (@Hauser_Reading) March 5, 2017
Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer tweeted some photos from afar of the crowds at the plunge.
Great day to #MakeASplash + raise money for an amazing cause! Shout-out to all plungers and @SpecialOChi for successful #ChicagoPolarPlunge! pic.twitter.com/qqFNAiPWTL
— Bridget Gainer (@BridgetGainer) March 5, 2017
Celebrities also took part in the plunge, including actors from "Chicago Fire," "Chicago PD," "Chicago Med" and "Chicago Justice."
Brettonio did the #ChicagoPolarPlunge together ???? #OneChicago pic.twitter.com/UPZhy1OuOq
— Dayna Goralnick (@daynago11) March 5, 2017
So happy and privileged to along side our #ChicagoPolarPlunge buddiestoday !
— David Eigenberg (@DavidEigenberg) March 5, 2017
Never too cold! @JonSeda @Joelle_Carter pic.twitter.com/o0jpYUjHAh
Special Olympics Chicago gives thanks. They have not released the final amount of money raised for the even, but the goal was to reach $1.5 million.
Thanks to these great #ChicagoPolarPlunge partners for their support. We thank them for all they make possible for our athletes! pic.twitter.com/zfFtJLXn8p
— Special Olympics Chicago (@SpecialOChi) March 4, 2017