WARSAW — Members of Warsaw and surrounding communities are taking the cold weather to heart on Saturday, Feb. 20, as they brave the wintery waters for the second-time, at the 2016 Polar Plunge, benefiting Special Olympics Indiana.

On-site registration (including walk-ups) will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Center Lake Pavilion, located at 119 E. Canal St., Warsaw. The Plunge will begin at 12:30 p.m., and will be located at Center Lake.

As Special Olympics Indiana’s signature fundraising event, the Polar Plunge invites Hoosiers to be “Freezin’ for a Reason” by raising funds for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Polar Plunge participants will participate in one of 16 sites throughout the state during the months of January and February, with the largest Plunge culminating at Eagle Creek Beach in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 5.

Last year, the Polar Plunge season raised more than $600K for Special Olympics athletes. All funds raised will help athletes in your area train locally and compete at local, area and state levels. “The Polar Plunge raises money to benefit more than 11,000 Special Olympics athletes around the state, and promotes awareness of our mission,” shared Special Olympics Indiana President and CEO Michael Furnish. “Events such as this, unify the community which is incredible!”

In order to plunge, participants must raise a “bear” minimum of $75 ($50 minimum with a student ID). Awards are given for teams and individuals who raise the most funds for Special Olympics Indiana. The event also includes prizes for the best costume, incentives for dollars raised and an After Splash Bash. The After Splash Bash invites plungers to warm up immediately in Center Lake Pavilion. Complimentary hot food and beverages will be available for Plungers, a nominal $5 donation will be requested for non-plunging guests to partake of food and beverages.

The Official Polar Plunge mascot, Paw R. Bear will be on hand for photos and fun. Participants can tag their photos using #WarsawPlunge for a chance to appear on the live social media feed at the event. Photographs of participants plunging will also be uploaded to social media shortly after a participant plunges.

The Polar Plunge events are presented by the Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics. DePuy-Synthes, Alliance for Disability Leadership is a major sponsor of the 2016 Polar Plunge event series.

For more information about the Polar Plunge event in Warsaw, and to register to participate or support other plungers, please visit www.polarplungein.org or call Buzz Lail (574) 849-5361