Taking the Plunge

PLUNGAHOLICS TAKE TO THE WATERS IN 2018.

Taking the Plunge

TWO FAMILIES UNITE THE COMMUNITY FOR A SPECIAL CAUSE

BY JANIS VON KAENEL

A round every first Sunday in March, when the air is cold, the skies are gray and the weather can be chilly, thousands of people gather to run, jump and leap into the brisk waters of Lake Michigan at North Avenue Beach for a quick dip. It’s not just for some wintery wonder; it’s for a cause that has been going strong for almost 20 years. The Chicago Polar Plunge, benefiting Special Olympics Chicago, has assisted in raising funds to serve more than 7,500 Special Olympians for year-round sports training and competitions. The Plunge is one of Special Olympics Chicago’s largest fundraising events to raise money and awareness. Residents of Downers Grove David and Holly Francis and Mark and Cindy Clifford are no strangers to the yearly tradition.

In fact, the couples serve as co-captains to the largest noncorporate team in Chicagoland:The Plungaholics. In 2019, the couples rallied a crew of over 100 team members to take the plunge and raised $38,000, ranking them 8th place overall for their team fundraising efforts. Since the Francises and Cliffords started participating four years ago, The Plungaholics, are responsible for raising more than $150,000 for the Special Olympics and have been ranked in the top 10 fundraising performers year after year.

PLUNGAHOLICS TAKE TO THE WATERS IN 2018.

The Francises’ son, Hank, who was born with Down syndrome, is the source of inspiration for their participation. “Hank inspired us to live our lives with unconditional joy. His spirit is infectious, and we were immediately moved to learn and contribute everything we could,” Holly said.

Through their education of special needs, the couple became hyper-aware of the need for people with all abilities to be included. “We don’t want Hank or anyone to be excluded because of his or her differences,” David said, “rather, we want to help create a community for our son where he is appreciated for who he is and not what he isn’t.”

The Francis and Clifford families share some common ground – they both have sons with Down syndrome and the boys are just seven months apart. “When our son, Holden, was born with Down syndrome, we looked to David and Holly for support. They introduced us to the Polar Plunge as a way to support our boys and the community of families that have loved ones with special needs,” said Mark. The Cliffords met many Downers Grove neighbors by participating in the Plunge who were eager to support inclusion. “We are lucky to have our Holden and we are amazed at the amount of happiness he brings to everyone he meets. The fun we have at the plunge allows us to pay it forward to a community that we become more ingrained in throughout each year,” added Cindy.

The Francises and Cliffords combined their inspiration of inclusion with the Downers Grove local community, and their Polar Plunge team has quickly progressed throughout the years. Dozens of family members, old friends and new have contributed to their success. Some participants have connections to the special needs community while others do not. “This is absolutely not a solo effort,” Holly said.

The couples are clearly inspired and motivated by their openminded, supportive and loving community. “Our team feels a sense of honor that they contributed to supporting people of all abilities,” Cindy said. “They feel proud that they were part of something truly special and, at the end of the day, it’s all about celebrating the impact diversity can have.”

And it’s not just a swim at the beach for The Plungaholics and their supporters. The team makes a whole day out of it with preplunge festivities complete with music, a costume contest and even an awards ceremony. “It’s a memorable tradition and it makes the day very exciting,” Mark said.

The two families look forward to continuing this community tradition as the team takes the plunge on the lakefront for their fifth year on March 1, 2020. The Plungaholics are always looking for new team members. “If you want to be a part of something incredibly fun and special, join us!” David said.

Have no fear. A full body plunge in the icy waters is not necessary to join the team, with many going in knee deep, some simply cheering from the sidelines and others plunging virtually. The couples just encourage all their supporters to have fun.

For more information on how to support The Plungaholics and their icy visit to Lake Michigan in March, please visit https://secure. qgiv.com/event/team/850683. “We will continue to be part of a movement that is building a world where people are respected and accepted for their abilities,” David said.

And who knows? Based on the success of The Plungaholics and the community spirit it evokes, maybe one day in the future Downers Grove will see a Polar Plunge at Barth or Prince Pond. ■