Hundreds flood Miller Park Lake in Bloomington for polar plunge

Posted on February 28, 2022

*B104’s Buck Stevens took the plunge Saturday afternoon. (Photo courtesy WBWN.com)*

BLOOMINGTON – Hundreds took a dip into an icy cold Miller Park lake in Bloomington for a polar plunge to benefit the Special Olympics Saturday.

More than 600 plungers took part in the event, which is hosted by Illinois Law Enforcement.

Organizers had to cut through around 12 inches of ice on the lake for people to plunge into the cold water.

Vanessa Campos, Bloomington polar plunge program director said she’s thrilled to see so many people participate in the event for a good cause.

“Today, I literally was crying tears of joy watching the first group hit the water,” Campos said.

“The money that we raised today, which was about over $100,000, will go to athlete leadership programs, year round sporting, and health education,” Campos added.

Detective Stephen Brown and Sergeant Jeffrey Albee with the Bloomington Police Department were a few of the many who took part today.

Brown said he’s done the plunge six times while Albee is a first timer, and both said they’re thrilled help raise money for Special Olympic athletes.

“Law enforcement gets behind them with the Law enforcement torch run every year, and we raised all kinds of money for them so they’re able to go out there,” Brown said. “It’s so rewarding to us.”

Albee said he plunged for his aunt with special needs.

“My aunt was special needs for my entire life she lived in my family,” Albee said. “I did this for her,” he added.

Brown says Bloomington Police Department raised $9,000 for Special Olympics.

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