Every year, hundreds of brave Peoria residents show up for the annual Peoria Polar Plunge, a tradition since 2008. This annual plunge into cold water is to bring awareness of water safety in the winter months and raise money for underprivileged children to take free swim lessons. The event has been cancelled this year but donations for swim lessons are still being encouraged.
Peoria residents can still register, donate and receive a free t-shirt like previous years. Registration is $25, which will sponsor a free two-week swim lesson session in the spring and summer. To donate and get your shirt, go to peoriaaz.gov/recplace and type in course code 24556. This will lead you to the Polar Plunge donation page.
“The donation drive is lasting through the end of February,” says Kristina Perez, Peoria’s Marketing and Communications Manager. “Typically, in the past, the donation drive is just the day of the Polar Plunge, but since the event was cancelled, they have allowed more time to get donations.”
“Drowning is not just a problem during the warm, summer months, but every day,” according to Peoria Aquatics. “You can still do your part and help out the community by donating $25 that goes toward swim lessons. Every $25 will pay for a child to take two week of swim lessons and learn water safety.”
The City of Peoria Aquatics division operates the city’s three public swimming pools. They also manage aquatics programs including swim lessons and classes, swim and dive teams, facility rentals, and aquatics training and employment. City of Peoria’s pools and aquatics programs are open seasonally during the summer months (May through August only). Pools and aquatics/swim programs are closed during the off-season. The Polar Plunge fundraiser goes throughout the month of February.
For any questions, email [email protected] or call 623-773-7137.
