Manhattan PD Supporting Special Olympics With Polar Plunge

MANHATTAN, IL — Things are about to get a little chilly for some members of the Manhattan Police Department and others who are a part of the 2022 Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge, which benefits Special Olympics Illinois.

The team will take the plunge at noon Saturday at the Braidwood Recreation Club, 33915 S. Illinois Route 53 in Braidwood. The team has raised $1,960 as of Thursday to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.

The 12-member team out of Manhattan, dubbed Hawaii Five-O, includes Special Olympics Illinois athlete Nathan Strong. Other members of the team include: Team Captain Shannon Beauchamp, Co-Captain Joe Williams, Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Wold, Michael Holford, Rebecca Buhs, David Podkul, Tina Jasudowicz, Ronald Adamski, Ryan Gulli, Jeff Butler and Kelly Ketelaar.

Participants will line up at noon. Each team will be announced, and then the dash into the water begins. Firefighters and paramedics will be in the water to make sure everyone stays safe during the event.

"You can run up to them, high-five them, run out," Beauchamp said. "It's a good time. It's a wonderful time. Everyone likes to have a lot of fun. I can't say enough about it. I love these events."

Beauchamp said that she's not particularly fond of cold water, but she said participating in the Polar Plunge was part of the "bigger picture."

"Personally, I am super stoked about it because I got into law enforcement because — as cheesy as it might sound — I wanted to make a difference," Beauchamp said. "I saw the impact you could have on somebody, even if it's so small — stopping and saying 'hi,' or getting out of the car and playing football with the kids out in the field."

Beauchamp also spoke about her admiration for the Illinois Special Olympic athletes.

"These athletes are the most wonderful human beings I've ever met in my life," she said. "They're always super excited. They don't let their disabilities stop them from achieving wonderful and great things. It's astonishing to me the obstacles they have to overcome, and yet how strong they are in going forward with it."

For more information, or to make a donation, visit the Hawaii Five-O Special Olympics Illinois website.