EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- One thousand people bravely plunged into ice cold Half-moon Lake at Carson park.

Luckily, sunny skies stuck around to help the volunteers warm up.
Sunday’s Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics of Wisconsin.
The program serves nearly 10,000 athletes in approximately 200 communities statewide.

Organizers say the plunge raised 190 -thousand dollars and they expect five to six thousand more in donations later this week.

"The community has really embraced this event, and it is really cool to see. We have some repeat plungers; we have some that are here this year, for their 10th year in a row. Sounds crazy, plunging into the water, and they come back. And its freezing cold, but they just love this event. They know that it's an amazing cause. They know their money is going to the athletes, so they don’t' mind braving the cold water,” said Director of Development, Karen Kraus.

WEAU is a proud sponsor of the event. Some of WEAU crew took the icy plunge. SportScene 13's Justus Cleveland and Jenn Chapman were the MC’s for the event.