Special Olympics certainly checks that box.

Students and supporters from across western New York converged at Woodlawn Beach State Park last week for the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. The annual event encourages teams to raise funds to plunge into frigid Lake Erie each December to benefit Special Olympics of Western New York.

Dunkirk and Fredonia were among the local schools to participate, along with the countywide champion Silver Creek-Forestville team. The water temperature at the time of the plunge was just over 40 degrees, but the air temperature was under 30. Even so, students followed through on their promise to dive into the lake to show their support for the Special Olympics.

More than 40 Fredonia students took the plunge, led by Kristin Tomaszewski, Youth Activation Coordinator at Fredonia High School. Just as it did a year ago, the Fredonia Unified Team surpassed its $10,000 fundraising goal, with a total of $10,117 collected this year to benefit Special Olympics of Western New York.

Submitted Photos Dunkirk students, in maroon, and Fredonia students, wearing orange hats, are shown exiting the water of Lake Erie at Woodlawn Beach State Park during the Special Olympics Polar Plunge.

“We are super proud of them for doing that, and for having the bravery to go into the lake,” High School Principal Ron Tonelli said.

Dunkirk’s Unified Club participated in the event for the fourth time. Last year, Dunkirk did not make the trip to Woodlawn Beach, instead participating in its own version of the event on campus, with buckets of ice water filled to replicate the event. This year, Dunkirk made the trip and participated on-site.

Led by team captain Alex Biscaro, Dunkirk raised over $6,400 for Special Olympics of Western New York.

“We are so proud of our athletes, partners, families, and supporters who braved the cold, showed up with huge hearts, and made a real difference for an amazing organization,” the district said in a social media post. “Thank you to everyone who donated, encouraged, and cheered us on.”

The Cool School Challenge raised a total of $249,731 for Special Olympics. Over the course of three days, colleges and community organizations pitched in to help raise a total of nearly $700,000 to support students, athletes, and Unified programs.

Many Dunkirk students wore maroon shirts to show school pride as they participated in the Polar Plunge at Woodlawn Beach State Park last week.