With just under a week left, this year’s Polar Plunge in Chatham-Kent has already surpassed its fundraising goal.
The upcoming event on Saturday at Sons of Kent Brewing Co. in Chatham has raised over $46,000 so far, the highest fundraising total ever for the event in CK.
Event organizer Sergeant Jason Herder with the Chatham-Kent Police Service said the initial goal for the Polar Plunge was $40,000. He said the community has made quite the statement.
“We’ve set the bar for the other plunges across the province,” he said. “What we’re doing here in Chatham-Kent, it just speaks volumes of the tenacity of our community.”
The Polar Plunge, which is organized by the Chatham-Kent Police Service, encourages the local community to raise money for the chance to jump into a pool of ice-cold water in the middle of winter. All funds raised will support Special Olympics Ontario.
“Special Olympics Ontario is the charity of choice for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. So it’s close to us as a policing organization and a policing family,” said Herder. “Special Olympics Ontario is an organization that touches the hearts of many who have family members that are involved in the programming and the games.”
Herder added that more than 700 donors have already contributed to the event, which will mark the first in-person Polar Plunge in more than two years.
“It’s really exciting for us; watching every day and seeing the number grow,” he said. “Just to see the sheer number of not just people who have signed up but who are donating to this — it’s a really humbling experience as an organizer to see the success of this, prior to the event being completed.”
The Chatham-Kent Polar Plunge at Sons of Kent kicks off at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Those interested in donating to the event or taking part can do so by clicking here.