Forest Preserve Police Take Cold Charity Plunge, Braidwood, IL

Participants came in hot on Saturday. They got out cold at the Braidwood Recreation Club. The freezing lake water did not stop them. A local police team took a bold winter plunge. They jumped into the cold water together. Their goal was to support special athletes.

Chilly Water Jump at Braidwood Recreation Club

The event occurred on March 14, 2026. A team from the Forest Preserve District police department organized the group. They joined the 2026 Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge. The total raised across the entire event exceeded $175,000. These vital funds benefit Special Olympics Illinois. The local district police team raised more than $3,700. This impressive total beat their original $3,000 goal. Police Sgt. Rick Lewandowski shared his thoughts on the effort.

"This event is important to the department because it gives us a chance to come out and raise money and awareness for Special Olympics," Lewandowski said. He noted that the crazy winter swim grabs attention for a great cause.

Full Floppers Embrace the Extreme Winter Swim

Different plungers use different approaches when entering the water. The district police crew prefers to fully embrace the freezing cold. "Most of our crew are full floppers," Lewandowski said. He stated they prefer a full plunge over tiptoeing on the beach. Some participants were graceful. Others flopped right into the cold water. A few plungers wore creative costumes to grab extra attention. Some groups even brought unique props along.

Ongoing Police Community Outreach and Future Goals

This was the first kickoff event of the fundraising year. The dedicated police team will participate in several upcoming events. They plan to join a plane pull challenge at Lewis University. The officers will also stand on rooftops for Cop on a Rooftop. They will join the official Law Enforcement Torch Run later. Over the past three years, the department raised nearly $35,000. All of these funds go directly to the Special Olympics.

Supporting Local Athletes and Revealing Inner Champions

The statewide charity effort supports more than 23,000 traditional special athletes. It also assists 13,000 young athletes across the state. These participants experience intellectual disabilities. Donations provide wonderful programming opportunities for every single athlete. The activities help them reveal their inner champion.

We feel immense admiration for these local law enforcement heroes. You can help support local police initiatives and these inspiring athletes today. Please visit our stories page to read more uplifting accounts. Your generosity helps sustain this work when you choose to make a donation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main purpose of a law enforcement torch run polar plunge?

The event raises vital funds and public awareness for athletes participating in the Special Olympics. Law enforcement personnel lead these winter swim initiatives across the country to bring local communities together for an excellent charitable cause.

2. What types of future athletic events do police teams support annually?

Departments routinely participate in public plane pull challenges, rooftop fundraising drives at local businesses, and multi-jurisdictional torch relays. These diverse corporate partnerships help secure continuous resources for community sports programs throughout the year.

3. Who coordinates the safety measures during an official winter plunge event?

Certified emergency rescue personnel and public safety dive teams remain stationed directly inside the freezing water during the activities. Their constant presence ensures that every participant entering the lake can safely emerge from the cold beach environment.

4. How do local sports donations benefit individuals with intellectual disabilities?

Charitable contributions directly fund year-round athletic training, health screenings, and official sports competitions for children and adults. These public programs offer inclusive environments where participants can build confidence and showcase their unique talents.

Sources:

• Story and Image Source: Forest Preserve police team raises thousands with Polar Plunge effort