THE POLAR PLUNGE

My wackie, wonderful daughter-in-law, Jen, participated in the Polar Plunge last Sunday, at Silver Springs State Park in Yorkville, IL. On that cold and rainy day, her team of 19 crazy people plunged into the lake (some even submerging themselves!) to celebrate raising money for Special Olympics Illinois.

Her team won the coveted Golden Plunger for raising the most money (nearly $20,000.00) of all the teams at that site. To date, it appears that they may have raised the most money of all the teams in Illinois (final results still pending).

Jen, who is an occupational therapist, works with special needs kids. She said that for her, "it was the chance to actively show support for a movement that supports children and families with whom I work directly. A chance to support an organization that provides invaluable experiences for children who would otherwise maybe not know what it is like to get recognition or reward for dedication and hard work."

"To have a sense that you belong to something with a bigger meaning can really bring you moments of clarity about who you are and what life is really about," said Jen. "We were all there to be a part of something that had such a bigger purpose than just being cold and wet."