Windchills sent temperatures plummeting into the 30s, but that didn’t deter ComEd employees and their supporters from dashing into frigid waters, snowy mounds and being drenched by icy showers.
What, might you ask, caused these warriors to be so bold in the cold?
March 6, 2022 marked the 11th consecutive year of ComEd’s participation in the Special Olympics Chicago Annual Polar Plunge. ComEd’s team, the ComEd Coolers, creatively performed virtual plunges to benefit Special Olympics Chicago in support of more than 7,500 Special Olympians and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the city.
“Special Olympics Chicago is such a special organization, supporting year-round sports programming for athletes with disabilities. Every year, they embody our own ComEd commitment to building inclusive environments where every person feels empowered to succeed,” Gil Quiniones, CEO, ComEd.
Nearly 4,000 people turned out to support the Chicago Polar Plunge this year, according to Special Olympics Chicago. Excitement was through the clouds, and as one of the largest corporate sponsors for the annual event, ComEd Coolers contributed over $160,000 of the nearly $2 million raised by the event this year.
“All of the funds raised go to support our year-round programming for 7,500 athletes here in the city of Chicago; and all the money raised stays in the city of Chicago,” said Carolyn Daley, Special Olympics Chicago.
“It [plunging] doesn’t get any easier,” said Arturo Chavez, Substation Supervisor at ComEd and a pioneer of the ComEd Coolers. But the motivation, goals and turnout grow stronger each year. What started as a tick mark on a bucket list has evolved into a more meaningful tradition in honor of family, friends and villages of bold, special athletes that compete.
Watch the video below to relive ComEd Coolers’ Polar Plunge excitement!
The Chicago Polar Plunge is just one example of ComEd’s longstanding commitment to giving back to its communities. Last year ComEd team members volunteered over 12,000 hours working for and beside our neighbors and raised nearly $2 million for causes close to their hearts.
ComEd employees are gearing up to further their commitment to the enrichment of communities where they live, work and serve during April’s National Volunteer Month.
