Who does the Polar Plunge benefit?
The Polar Plunge benefits Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes across the state, who compete and train year-round in 19 different sports. For many of our athletes, Special Olympics Wisconsin is their main way to stay connected, active and engaged.
While the pandemic has been hard on all of us, it has hit our athletes especially hard. We have worked hard to adapt and reduce social isolation by offering a variety of safe alternatives to help keep the athletes connected and healthy, but we all know that it’s just not quite the same.
That’s why your support through the Polar Plunge is so important this year. We need your help to continue offering our incredible sports, health, leadership, and all-around inclusive programming.
How much of my donation goes to Special Olympics Wisconsin?
100%! We thank you for your support of the athletes that we serve!
So really, I’m jumping into an icy-cold body of water?
Yup! That’s the plan! We have law enforcement and fire department volunteers in wet suits in the water with you, so everyone is safe. The plunge depths vary depending on where you plunge. Average temperatures are expectedly chilly. There are heated changing tents available for participants. Separate men’s and women’s changing areas are available, and gender neutral “family” changing is available at some plunge sites.
What are the emergency weather plans for the Plunge?
The plunges happen rain, sleet, snow, or shine! We will never cancel a plunge, but if temperatures reach dangerous lows, we will modify the event accordingly. Come ready to jump in!
How old do you have to be to Plunge?
There is no age requirement to participate in the Polar Plunge. Young children are welcome to participate, but that decision is left to the sole discretion of the child’s parent or guardian. For individuals under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must agree to the Terms and Conditions during the online registration process and sign the event participant waiver.
What is the minimum amount that I need to raise to participate in the event?
All Plungers must raise a minimum of $100 in order to plunge.
This is my first-time plunging, what do I need to bring to the Plunge?
We recommend you bring a change of clothes, a dry pair of shoes, and a towel for after the Plunge. Older shoes, Costumes and team spirit are encouraged for the icy dip. Please keep in mind that if you lose a piece of your outfit, we won’t be able to retrieve it for you from the water.
What incentives are available to participants who raise more than the minimum $100?
Incentives will be available for Plungers at the $250, $500, $750 and $1,000+ fundraising thresholds.
Are the Polar Plunge incentives or long sleeve t-shirts available for purchase?
We do not sell any of our Polar Plunge incentives because we feel it is a privilege for those who participate and have earned the various incentive levels.
What is your refund policy?
Donations made to the Polar Plunge are charitable contributions and nonrefundable.
When and how will I receive my incentives?
All traditional Polar Plungers who have reached their $100 fundraising minimum by midnight on their Plunge location’s Guaranteed Incentive Deadline will receive their 2024 Polar Plunge incentives to include the long sleeve t-shirt and other items earned at the event or pre-registration where offered. Alternative Polar Plunge participants will receive their incentives via mail* in late April as long as they submit their $100 minimum to Special Olympics Wisconsin via Classy Fundraising page by March 29, 2024.
Location |
Plunge Date |
Guaranteed Incentive Deadline |
Wisconsin Rapids |
2.3.2024 |
1.17.2024 |
Oshkosh |
2.10.2024 |
1.24.2024 |
Madison |
2.17.2024 |
1.31.2024 |
Green Bay Area |
2.24.2024 |
2.7.2024 |
Milwaukee |
2.24.2024 |
2.7.2024 |
Chippewa Falls |
3.2.2024 |
2.14.2024 |
La Crosse |
3.2.2024 |
2.14.2024 |
Whitewater |
3.9.2024 |
2.28.2024 |
Alternative |
ANY |
3.29.2024 |
Will I still get my incentives after the deadline?
Any plungers who meet the minimum $100 to plunge and earns any incentives AFTER the deadline will be distributed at the event until supplies run out, size is not guaranteed. If supplies run out, the incentive vendor will hand out a missing incentive card and you will order your missing incentives online and either pick up or pay for shipping through the vendor to have them delivered to you after all plunges have closed.
How do I submit offline donations?
- For cash donations under $100, plungers should deposit the cash into their bank account and make a donation via their Classy Fundraising page.
- For cash donations over $100, plungers should exchange donations into a money order or cashier check. Then complete the Offline Donation Submission Form and mail it along with the money order to the address below. Ensure you include complete donor information so that a tax letter can be sent to your donor.
- Check donations should be mailed along with a completed Offline Donation Submission Form to the address below:
Mail offline donations to:
Special Olympics Wisconsin
Attn: Polar Plunge
6582 Ronald Reagan Ave
Madison, WI 53704
I have a donor who wants to write a check. Who should they make it payable to?
All checks should be made payable to Special Olympics Wisconsin. Donations with complete donor information will receive a tax letter from Special Olympics Wisconsin.
I have a group of people that want to Plunge together. Can we form a team?
Yes! Forming a team is a great way to motivate one another to raise more money for Special Olympics Wisconsin. When registering, select the “Create a Team” option. Please keep in mind, that incentives are earned by individual fundraising pages, NOT by team totals.
Can my team plunge together?
Teams can plunge together. Please take note that larger teams may need to separate for safety protocol at locations where the plunge entry is smaller