Park Ridge police prepare for Polar Plunge

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Updated: March 24, 2012 8:34AM

Some Park Ridge police officers are probably hoping that this winter’s unseasonably warm temperatures continue this weekend.

That’s because several members of the department, along with family members and some citizens, have volunteered to take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge in Lake Michigan, an activity that could get rather chilly if temperatures actually become polar-like.

About a dozen Park Ridge volunteers are expected to take the plunge Feb. 25 at Northwestern University’s North Beach in Evanston. The Polar Plunge is an annual event for law-enforcement agencies to raise money for Illinois Special Olympics’ Near West Suburban area.

“It’s cold, but it’s kind of refreshing,” acknowledged Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski, who will be among those jumping into Lake Michigan Saturday. “It gets you alive and moving.”

The Polar Plunge is one of several fundraisers hosted by the Park Ridge Police Department, as well as law-enforcement agencies across the state, to support Special Olympics. Last year Park Ridge Police raised more than $9,000 for the organization and a $10,000 goal has been set for 2012, Kaminski said.

Anyone interested in making a donation to Special Olympics in support of the officers should contact Officer Julie Genualdi or Lt. Duane Mellema, at (847) 318-5252.