See Who Jumped in the Lake Saturday

Why would someone get in a bathing suit in March and jump into near freezing Lake Michigan waters?

That is exactly what hundreds of people from Lake Forest, Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Bluff, Bannockburn and beyond did Saturday at Lake Bluff’s Sunrise Beach and they had a good reason.

Earlier: Polar Plunge Is a Day at the Lake Bluff Beach

They were raising money to benefit the Special Olympics. Specifically, it was the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge which is why the first wave of divers included Lake Forest Police Chief Jim Held, Bannockburn Chief Ron Price and members of their departments.

“I’ve done this for eight years,” Price said of the 15-year-old event. “We raised $2,000 for the Special Olympics from Bannockburn.” In addition to Price, his daughter Genna, Bannockburn Officer Bob Ogden and John Vanderbilt from Bannockburn, even people from the Deerfield Police Department took part.

The participants were not limited to police officers. A group of 22 Highland Park High School students from their Rotary organization along with Principal Brad Swanson were there. There was also a group of 10 Lake Forest High School students, some of whom dove in a suit—swimming variety—and tie.

“We’re part of the Lake Forest (High School) Men’s Club,” Brian Murphy said. “We do community service and this is a very good cause, the Special Olympics.”

Two Lake Bluff residents, Michael Shepherd and Rob Puryear, though it would be a good way to burn off a big breakfast. “It’s too cold to run,” Puryear said.

If you recognize someone from the pictures or video, feel free to congratulate them in the comments.