Polar 3The Polar Plunge is a yearly event that acts as a fundraiser for Special Olympics Wisconsin. Many Chilton Public Schools students and staff as well as community supporters participate in this plunge into the freezing cold waters of Lake Winnebago.

This year, the team jumps on February 11, at Menominee Park in Oshkosh, which is one of several dates and locations Polar Plunges are held around the state.

After raising over $17,000 last year, the district’s team is again running its fundraising as a challenge. For every $1500 donated by the community, two more team members will take the plunge.

As of Monday, the team had raised $5,990 toward its $20,000 goal.

To donate, use the QR codes in the “2023 CHS Polar Plunge Goal” graphic.

Another option is to go to https://www.classy.org/team/460815. To give to a specific team member, click “MEMBERS,” select a member to donate to and then click the “DONATE” button.  

Donations may also be sent to or dropped off at the CHS office. Checks should be made out to “Special Olympics Wisconsin.”

CHS junior Dylan Reimer has participated in Special Olympics for over seven years. He competes in basketball, bowling and track. He loves competing every year and meeting new friends. These opportunities would not be possible without the fundraising efforts.

CMS and CHS raise funds for Special Olympics every year. Monster cookies have been sold for years at the high school, but this year they began selling chocolate chip cookies, as well. All proceeds from these sales as well as all other donations go toward the Polar Plunge.

Spencer Kratz, an alumni of both CHS and the Special Olympics program, is participating in the Polar Plunge again this year. He said he loved participating in the competition and is very happy that he can help fundraise to give other students the same experiences that he had.

Kratz is very excited to be plunging in the lake this year because he and many others will be “Freezin’ for a Reason.”

Special Olympics is an organization created to allow children with intellectual disabilities to participate in their chosen sports in a competition setting.

This organization gives access to over 7,000 participants in the state of Wisconsin. Special Olympics includes the Healthy Athletes program, which provides health screenings for all athletes participating.