Polar Plunge Has Locals “Freezin’ For A Reason” [VIDEO]

ST. CLOUD -- Temperatures hovering around zero degrees and wind gusts around 20 miles per hour did little to stop people from coming out to the 2015 Polar Plunge this afternoon.

Over 500 people made the trip out to the Water's Edge restaurant to take a dip in Pleasant Lake to raise money for Special Olympics Minnesota.

Dave Dorn, president of Special Olympics Minnesota, says the early estimates show nearly $100,000 was raised for the organization at this year's plunge.

"[The event] raises money for our athletes and for the programs that we run across the state," Dorn says.

Dorn says he was pleased with how the event was handled, especially on such a bitterly cold day.

"We were able to put on an event like this and still keep it safe," Dorn says.

"Obviously, you're going to be cold no matter what if you jump into freezing cold water...but make sure that when we do get 500 people out here that they churn through and have a great time."

Plungers like Alex Nipp from Acacia Fraternity at St. Cloud State, had a great time. Nipp and his fraternity helped in setting up the event before taking the plunge themselves.

"Yeah [the plunge is] something, your body kind of shuts down a little bit," Nipp says.

"It was cold, [but] it was fun though and for a good cause."

If you missed out on today's Polar Plunge, don't worry - events are scheduled around the area going into March giving people a chance to take the plunge.