ST. PETER — Paul Jeffrey wore only overalls, while the rest of his group — Alex Sauers, Kyle Rose and Montay Alexander — wore swim trunks and either a T-shirt or a tank top. The temperature sat just below freezing, and the quartet was preparing to take a plunge into the frigid waters of Hallett’s Pond in St. Peter.
It’s a normal sight at the Polar Plunge, a mainstay in St. Peter during its winter celebration, now in its 20th year. Over 300 people from across the state gathered behind the local Hy-Vee to take a dip into the waters for a good cause: supporting the Special Olympics.
“(We’re here to) have fun, raise some money for a good cause and enjoy being in Minnesota,” said Belle Plaine resident Jeffrey.
“Yeah, good friends talk you into bad decisions,” Rose, from Savage, agreed with a smile.
The group has been plunging for a number of years. Jeffrey’s been doing it the longest at 25 years, and enjoys making the annual trip.
“Just the plunge itself, it’s invigorating,” Jeffrey said. “There’s this adrenaline rush after.”
This year’s event was special, as not only was it the 20th anniversary, but it was also a chance for the Special Olympics to honor the now-former Nicollet County Sheriff, Dave Lange, whom they credited with bringing the event to St. Peter in the first place. The group presented him with a plaque to thank him for his service.
That presentation was followed by Lange along with his successor, Aaron Petersen, and sheriffs from Blue Earth, Redwood, Lime and Brown counties taking the first jump into the pond. Jeffrey, Rose, Sauers and Alexander followed close behind.
“(The water) is never as bad as you anticipate. It’s always worse in your head,” Rose said, his friends, agreeing behind him.
“The worst part is walking to the edge of the ice,” Jeffrey said.
This year, the Polar Plunge raised over $88,000 for the Special Olympics. According to the Plunge’s website, the event has raised over $1.4 million in St. Peter alone for the Special Olympics over the course of its history.