19th Annual Chicago Polar Plunge

Registration

• What is the minimum amount I need to fundraise to participate?

  • Plungers must raise $200, while School Plungers (18 years and younger) must raise $100 to participate and take the plunge.

• How old do you have to be to plunge?

  • While we do not have any age restrictions, participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian agree to the waiver, giving consent to participate.

• Can I cancel my registration for the Chicago Polar Plunge?

  • Once you are signed up for the Chicago Polar Plunge, you are unable to cancel your registration. We encourage you to continue fundraising for our superstar, Special Olympics athletes!

• How do I change my t-shirt size, wave time, and any additional information in my account?

  • Please Go Here: https://support.crowdrise.com/hc/en-us/requests/new to submit a request to CrowdRise’s support center. They are happy to help and modify any information related to your account.

• Can I pick up my wristband and t-shirt before the event on March 3rd, 2019?

  • Yes. We will have more information on early pickup closer to the event date. Stay tuned!

• How long does check-in take?

  • Beat the rush! We recommend attending the early pickup dates, prior to Sunday, March 3rd. Pre-Registration begins on March 1st & 2nd at North Avenue Beach. Pick up your t-shirt, wristbands and turn in any offline donations. Groups of 20 or more will be required to pick up their team's materials prior to March 3rd.
    
    Friday, March 1st, 2019: 2-7pm
    Saturday, March 2nd, 2019: 10-2pm
    Sunday, March 3rd, 2019: 8-10:30am

• How can my friends, family and co-workers support the Chicago Polar Plunge?

  • There are many different ways to support the Chicago Polar Plunge, benefiting the athletes of Special Olympics Chicago. Create a team, be a corporate sponsor, volunteer and/or promote the Plunge! Share this flyer with potential supporters to get them involved.

Fundraising: Individuals or Team Members

• How to register & get your fundraising page

  • Visit www.crowdrise.com/SOCPolarPlunge
    Click Register
    Choose your category and then select your fundraising option: Fundraise as an individual, Join A Team, Create a Team.
    Login to your CrowdRise account or Sign Up for one (all you’ll need is name, email, and password) and every participant will need their own account.
    Fill out your participant information and complete registration to receive your fundraiser.
    Customize your page with your own personal story, an image, your goal, etc. and then share your unique page URL with everyone you know

• Can I join a team after I register?

  • If you’d like to move your individual fundraising page to another team, please reach out to CrowdRise HERE and share your current page URL and the team URL that you would like to be moved to.

• How do I customize my campaign?

• Photo Tips and troubleshooting

• What link should I share?

• Any Fundraising Tips?

• Can I invite friends, family, and supporters to join me at the Plunge through CrowdRise?

• What is the Campaign Update Tool and how do I use it?

• How do I promote my campaign on social networks?

  • Click Here for additional CrowdRise tips and best practices.

• How can I access reports about my campaign and donations?

• How do I use the Thank You tool to thank my donors?

  • Send individual ‘Thank You’ from activity feed
    1. Click the manage icon to access the Campaign Manager
    2. Scroll to the activity feed and select a donor to thank
    3. Click 'Say Thanks' next to a donor name
    4. Add your customized text in the ‘Say Thanks’ field
    5. Click 'Send Message' when it’s ready to go
     You'll also receive a notification via email each time someone donates to your campaign. You can click the 'Thank Your Donor' button in that message to compose an email that comes directly from you.

Donations

• What do I do with cash and check donations?

  • All donations must be in by Friday, March 1st. Cash and check donations that come in later than the deadline, might not be logged and applied to a Plunger’s fundraising page. Please, get cash and checks in early!
    
    To make an offline donation by mail, please clearly print your information on THIS FORMand sent to:
    Special Olympics Chicago
    2 E 8th Street
    Mezzanine Level
    Chicago, IL 60605

• Who should checks be made out to?

  • Checks should be made out to Special Olympics Chicago. Please include the name of the individual Plunger or Team in the memo section, so we can log the donation to the correct page.

• Does Special Olympics Chicago issue refunds?

  • Charitable contributions are non-refundable. Even in the case of a no-show Plunger, all donations are considered charitable contributions, therefore, also non-refundable.

• How do I set up a match donation?

  • Check to see if your company matches gifts to Special Olympics Chicago by reaching out to your Human Resources department. Donate online, by check, or cash and be sure to get a tax-deductible receipt as proof of your donation. Obtain a matching gift form from your company’s Human Resources office. Complete the donor and gift information portion of the matching gift form and send it to:
    
    Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children's Charities
    2 E 8th Street
    Mezzanine Level
    Chicago, IL 60605
    
    EIN: 23-7026774
    
    OR email scc@sochicago.org

• How do the taxes work?

• Why won’t my donation go through?

• How do I know if someone donated to me?

Event Day

• Where should I park?

  • Through our generous partnership with the Lincoln Park Zoo, free parking is available at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s parking lot. The lot is located at Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive (2400 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614). We also recommend taking CTA or being dropped off at North Avenue Beach.

• Can I change before or after taking the plunge?

  • Yes! The boathouse has restrooms available to all Plungers before and after the event, as well as changing room throughout the beach. Please note: Special Olympics Chicago is not responsible for lost or stolen personal belongings. Please leave all items at your own risk.

• What should I bring on Plunge Day?

  • We encourage you to bring all necessary items to keep you warm and dry after you take the plunge. We recommend bringing a bag that has a warm change of clothes, shoes, and an extra towel. As far as what to wear into the water, less is better. Shoes are REQUIRED to take the plunge.

• I am a first-time Plunger. What should I expect?

  • Expect to have an absolute blast! You should also expect a very large crowd and lots of energy. The actual plunge is short and sweet, but you may have to wait in line before you jump in the water. No diving is permitted, as the water is too shallow. You can listen to music, buy Plunge merchandise, food, and/or drinks, and mingle with thousands of fellow Plunger and spectators.

• Is gear check available while I take the plunge?

  • Please bring your bags and dry items with you as you enter the warming corrals. Our volunteers will direct you to leave your bags on a tarp. After you take the plunge and exit the water, your bags will be waiting for you right where you left it on the dry tarp. Volunteers will help you locate your bags too!

• Will my Plunge team be able to jump in together?

  • Yes, we understand the importance of plunging together, but your safety is our first priority. Depending on the size of your team, your group will be able to plunge together or may need to be split into smaller groups.

• Will Chicago Polar Plunge merchandise be available for purchase at the event?

  • Yes, merchandise will be available on Plunge Day!

• Is there any charge to get into the event if I am just coming to cheer on a Plunger or Team?

  • No! Spectators are welcome to attend the Chicago Polar Plunge and watch Plungers, free of charge. But, if you’d like to donate, please do so ahead of time online.

• Is there a lost and found?

  • Yes! The lost and found will be located in the Registration Tent.

• What is your event cancellation policy?

  • We reserve the right to delay, shorten, or in rare circumstances, cancel the event due to inclement weather or a natural disaster. Safety of participants, spectators, and volunteers is always our first priority. Staff will consult the local weather and law enforcement to ensure conditions are safe for the event. We will make all possible attempts by email, website, and social media to inform participants of any updates. Note: the Chicago Polar Plunge has never been cancelled.

Still have questions?

For the Chicago Polar Plunge event, call: 312-527-3743 or Email: polarplunge@sochicago.org

For CrowdRise questions, check out their FAQ center Here: https://support.crowdrise.com/hc/en-us or email them directly at nposupport@gofundme.com