Special Olympics Indiana Teams Up With South Bend Cubs

SOUTH BEND, IN – The unofficial kickoff to the 2022 season begins with a special cause. The South Bend Cubs are teaming up with Special Olympics Indiana for the 6th Annual South Bend Polar Plunge on Saturday, February 26. Registration is now open, and participants are encouraged to register online.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER OR TO DONATE

All participants who raise the minimum $85.00 for Special Olympics Indiana will receive an official Polar Plunge long-sleeved t-shirt, with additional prizes and incentives offered to those who raise more. Individuals who go above and beyond in their efforts to support the Polar Plunge by raising a minimum of $4,000 are eligible to be recognized as “Super Plungers.” Nineteen individuals earned this distinction in 2021.

The Polar Plunge has been Special Olympics Indiana’s signature fundraiser for the last 23 years, bringing together Hoosiers of all ages and backgrounds each winter to raise money and awareness by braving the elements and taking an icy dip to demonstrate their commitment to the cause. All funds raised by the Polar Plunge directly benefit more than 18,000 Special Olympics athletes throughout the state, giving them the means to train locally and compete at the state level in a number of Olympic-type sports.

“Special Olympics Indiana works to ensure that persons with intellectual disabilities are included, empowered, and recognized as contributing members of their communities,” said President & CEO of Special Olympics Indiana Jeff Mohler. “Special Olympics in Saint Joseph County is thriving. The COVID pandemic has slowed us. But it has not stopped us, thanks to our many community allies, including the South Bend Cubs and Andrew Berlin. Our athletes are on the basketball court. They are in the swimming pool. They are in fitness centers getting stronger, faster, better. More importantly, our athletes are in their communities making a difference. Join the South Bend Cubs and Special Olympics as we make a difference together.”

More than 3,000 individuals take the plunge in a typical year, Freezin’ for a Reason, to raise vital funds that make a lasting difference in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. To date, the Polar Plunge has generated more than $8.5 million in support of Special Olympics Indiana’s year-round programs and events, including more than $750,000 in 2021.

“Every year, the South Bend Polar Plunge grows and has become our unofficial kickoff party to the new baseball season,” said South Bend Cubs Assistant General Manager for Marketing & Media Chris Hagstrom-Jones. “Over the last five years, our South Bend plunge has raised nearly $100,000 for local Special Olympians. We are encouraging community leaders to join us in breaking the $100,000 mark by plunging or donating to the South Bend Cubs plunge page.”

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE SOUTH BEND CUBS PLUNGE

Everyone who donates $20 or more to the South Bend Cubs plunge will be entered to win a special gameday ticket package; four tickets to a 2022 South Bend Cubs game, opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and to lead the 7th inning stretch.

About Special Olympics Indiana

Special Olympics Indiana is a nonprofit organization that is a part of the global Special Olympics movement, using sport, health, education, and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. They are a sports organization that uses the power of sport as a catalyst for social change, working for more than 50 years to open hearts and minds toward people with intellectual disabilities and to create inclusive communities across the state. With the support of over 10,000 coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics Indiana provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than 18,000 athletes and unified partners at no cost to the participants. Learn more by visiting www.soindiana.org.

About the South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs are the High-A minor league affiliate of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 34 years, the team has won four Midwest League titles, most recently in 2019, and has captured eight division titles. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game. In June 2017, Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best Class A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest's Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President's Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose principal shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.