The 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics athletes in Illinois is on March 12, 2023, at 2 PM at the Bally’s Quad Cities Casino and Hotel. Registration begins at 12:30 PM at 777 Bally Blvd in Rock Island followed by the plunge at 2 PM. For more information or to register, visit plungeillinois.com. You can participate this year by joining an in-person plunge or create your own plunge in your community. Registration for both options is available at plungeillinois.com.
Participants are asked to use the hashtag #PlungeIllinois to showcase their efforts through pictures and video, as well as to tag Special Olympics Illinois on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok at @specialolympicsillinois.
Registered participants must raise a minimum of $100 to plunge and receive the 2023 Polar Plunge sweatshirt. Those who raise more than $100 may earn other incentives and prizes. For more information, contact the Region F Plunge Director, Jennifer Davis, at [email protected].
Special Olympics Illinois is the only entity in Illinois accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. and authorized by license to use the Polar Plunge® trademark and logo. Please feel free to contact Special Olympics Illinois at [email protected] with any questions.
The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run is proud to be the statewide presenting sponsor for the 2023 Polar Plunge. Thank you to statewide gold sponsor Jewel-Osco, and statewide silver sponsor Gallagher, as well as local gold medal sponsors Bally’s Quad Cities Casino and Hotel, CBS 4 WHBF, DD Homes Network, Fox 18 KLJB, Green Family Auto, Lamar, The CW KGCW-TV, and WLLR; and local silver medal sponsors IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union, Quad City Bank and Trust, and Republic Services.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is the single largest year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The annual intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® has raised more than $61 million since 1986 while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments. Traditionally, more than 3,000 officers in Illinois run more than 1,500 miles carrying the Flame of Hope through the streets of their hometowns and deliver it to the State Summer Games in Normal each June.
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 9,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. It strives to be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development.
If you are interested in being a part of Special Olympics Illinois and its vision, contact your local region call our headquarters at 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org. Follow Special Olympics Illinois on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.