4th Annual Polar Plunge at the St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.4th Annual Polar Plunge at the St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
Windsor

Polar Plungers Support Special Olympics (GALLERY)

Warm-hearted jumpers plunged into cold water for a good cause Friday.

It was the fourth annual Polar Plunge Windsor-Essex at the St. Clair College SportsPlex. Dozens of brave students, law enforcement officers, and supporters lined up in near-zero air temperatures to plunge into a swimming pool full of water that was not much warmer.

Many of those attending were dressed head to toe in costume, others had stripped down to swimming trunks, but all were escorted shivering or "freezin' for a reason" back into the SportsPlex where hot food was waiting. Jumpers had a choice of three plunge times, one at lunchtime, one in mid-afternoon, and one in the early evening.

The event is a long-running fundraiser for the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Ontario, which opens up sports and athletic opportunities for people of all ages with an intellectual disability. Law enforcement agencies have been active partners in similar Polar Plunges taking place across the province.

Windsor Police Chief Al Frederick was on hand with St. Clair College President Patti France to cheer on the jumpers. Frederick reminded the crowd that the 2017 event had raised over $54,000, to bring the three-year total to over $131,000. Organizers say the Windsor plunge is among the more successful in Ontario.

Totals for this year were not immediately available.

Officers from the Windsor Police, Ontario Provincial Police, and other law enforcement agencies attended the Friday event.

For complete information on Polar Plunges across Ontario, visit their official website.

Windsor Police Chief Al Frederick and St. Clair College President Patti France speak to the crowd at the 4th Annual Polar Plunge, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Windsor Police Chief Al Frederick and St. Clair College President Patti France speak to the crowd at the 4th Annual Polar Plunge, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

4th Annual Polar Plunge, St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.4th Annual Polar Plunge, St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

4th Annual Polar Plunge, St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.4th Annual Polar Plunge, St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

4th Annual Polar Plunge, St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.4th Annual Polar Plunge, St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

Participants await their turn at the St. Clair College SportsPlex for the annual Polar Plunge, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Participants await their turn at the St. Clair College SportsPlex for the annual Polar Plunge, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

Contestants in costume await their turn at the St. Clair College 4th annual Polar Plunge on March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Contestants in costume await their turn at the St. Clair College 4th annual Polar Plunge on March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

4th Annual Polar Plunge at the St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.4th Annual Polar Plunge at the St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

4th Annual Polar Plunge at the St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.4th Annual Polar Plunge at the St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

4th Annual Polar Plunge at the St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.4th Annual Polar Plunge at the St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

4th Annual Polar Plunge, St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.4th Annual Polar Plunge, St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

4th Annual Polar Plunge, St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.4th Annual Polar Plunge, St. Clair College SportsPlex, Windsor, March 2, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

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