When people can see their breath and feel sub-freezing temperatures, the first instinct is to get inside and bundle up, usually. But the good-willed residents of South Jordan were there to help others. 

The Daybreak Polar Plunge on Jan. 17 was planned with the goal of raising $35,000 to support over 5,000 Special Olympics Utah athletes. That goal was not only met but exceeded due to the attendees’ generosity.

Real’s mascot hyping up the crowd at Daybreak’s Polar Plunge to raise money for the Special Olympics. (Photo courtesy Matt Johnson)

“The Polar Plunge is a long-standing fundraising tradition for Special Olympics and is one of our most recognizable signature events nationwide,” Special Olympics Manager Wendy Kelly said. “It originally gained momentum through Law Enforcement Torch Run officers who were looking for a unique and engaging way to raise funds and awareness for athletes with intellectual disabilities.”

This year’s promo slogan for the activity was “Take the #Ultimate Shiver in 2026!” And Daybreak’s publicity stated, “Bring your friends, costume, and courage — it's time to take the ultimate icy dip for a cause that warms hearts! It's chilly. It's crazy. It's the coolest thing you'll do all winter.” 

Some participants did come in costume, and all were ready to contribute and have fun. Since the first icy dip, Polar Plunges quickly became popular across the country. It has grown into one of the area’s most anticipated annual events.

“The Daybreak Polar Plunge was held at Daybreak Lake last year (2025), and it was also held there in 2024. This year, the decision was made to move the plunge to the Daybreak Community Center for safety and logistical reasons,” Kelly said. “The change has been very well received by LiveDAYBREAK, the Daybreak community and the City of South Jordan. It continues to be one of our most popular and high-energy special events of the year.”

In Utah, these plunging fundraisers have been taking place since the late 1990s. They have been branded and licensed as a Special Olympics event and are held in many states yearly.
Special Olympics is the official recipient of Polar Plunge fundraising and is the fixed beneficiary unlike other fundraisers that select different beneficiaries each year. The Polar Plunge is specifically designed as a Special Olympics fundraiser, with deep roots tied to LETR and Special Olympics programs nationwide.

“I’ve been involved with Special Olympics Utah since 2017, both as a volunteer and as a staff member,” Kelly said. “My inspiration is my child, Brady Johnson. Brady is on the autism spectrum, has an anxiety disorder and is quite honestly a force to be reckoned with. Special Olympics Utah has had a huge impact on our family and it’s been incredible to watch his growth — not only as an athlete, but as a leader, a teammate, a sibling, an uncle, and most importantly, as a person.”