Hundreds come out to Miller Park for the 25th annual Polar Plunge

Posted on February 26, 2024

By WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON – Hundreds of people took the plunge into the frigid waters of Miller Park Lake in Bloomington.

“As the lead up it was like 700 plungers, then it was 800, I show up today and find out we’re at 900 plungers and to be out here and just the atmosphere. It’s amazing,” said Special Olympics Illinois President and CEO Pete Beale-Delvecchio.

As of Friday night, they raised more than $140,000. Delvecchio said they are on track to blow past their goal of $169,000. Those funds directly benefit and support Special Olympics Illinois athletes like Jamie Martin.

“They’ve been so supportive and your community being so incredibly active, at all times, and it means so much to me to have fun,” said Martin.

It was Delvecchio’s first polar plunge experience as CEO, and he expressed his nervous excitement to get into the water.

“A little nervous. It is exciting, that thrill. I’m waiting for that adrenaline rush when I go in. It’s going to be fun,” said Beale-Delvecchio.

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…