Braving the cold and windy day, hundreds dared to jump into the icy waters of Lake Shawnee in support of the Kansas Special Olympics.
Kansas First News Reporter Monica Castro watched as participants took the leap for a cause.
Anticipation runs high as participants stare at the frigid water they're about to leap into.
Cassandra Novack says "it was freezing and it really takes your breath away instantly."
Kristi Powell says "the water's not bad, it's the coming out and with it so windy. That's what makes it really cold."While jumping into icy waters may sound unbearable, these participants took the polar plunge to support Kansas Special Olympics Athletes. Many took the frosty frolic in some eye catching outfits. Big kids at heart, two men found inspiration for their costume from a fairy tale.
Allan Henderson says "we have never grown up so were the lost boys...I wear this everyday."
For Peter Pan and Tinker Bell this event hits close to home. The two coach special Olympics athletes.
Every year they dress as something memorable to support the athletes they work with.
Allan Henderson says "last year we were Sonny and Cher and we wanted to find something that would top Sonny and Cher and peter pan was just it."
The water might be freezing and no one really imagines jumping into a lake in the middle of January, but it's the spirit of helping others that warms these participant's hearts.
Henderson says "the warmth you feel from helping children and adults with special needs is far greater from the cold you feel from getting in the water."
Powell says "you wouldn't find me jumping in the lake in the middle of January for any other cause any these special Olympic athletes."
This is the 8th annual Polar Plunge.
