Chicago Polar Plunge Sends Thousands Into Chilly Lake Michigan For Special Olympics

More than $1.8 million in donations was raised for Special Olympics Chicago and Special Children’s Charities.

7:43 PM CST on Mar 6, 2022

NORTH AVENUE BEACH — The annual Chicago Polar Plunge returned to North Avenue Beach Sunday as an estimated 3,650 people took a dip in 37-degree Lake Michigan to raise money for charity.

More than $1.8 million in donations was raised for Special Olympics Chicago and Special Children’s Charities. Last year’s event was canceled for in-person plunges at North Avenue, although it was taken online.

Here’s a look at Sunday’s event:

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