Charlotte County Area 15 Special Olympics supporters made a big splash at this year’s Polar Plunge Challenge in Virginia Beach.

According to the Polar Plunge website, the Polar Plunge Challenge consists of plungers braving the icy Atlantic Ocean waters to support Special Olympics. Each plunger must raise at least $100 to participate.

“The Polar Plunge is our way of celebrating our volunteers, our athletes and our families for all they do for

Special Olympics,” said Charlotte County Local Coordinator Joanne Catron. “We raise money locally for out area and attend the event as part of the celebration.”

Area 15 Special Olympics consists of Charlotte, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg and South Boston.

“This was my fifth year plunging,” said Special Olympics Supporter Amanda Coker. “It’s a great cause and my favorite part about this year was my mom joined the team and plunged with us.”

In addition to taking a splash, the 2016 Virginia Beach Polar Plunge included a one-mile dash and splash, parade, costume contest, and more.

Area 15’s costume theme was Winnie the Pooh and Friends, earning the group an award for best costume.

“I think Polar Plunge is hard to understand unless you experience it first hand,” said Supporter Anne Catron. “Most people just see it as a huge group of people running into freezing cold water, but being there and participating is so much more. You get to see the faces of athletes who benefit first hand from the money donated, and see the passion of hundreds of Special Olympics families, friends, and volunteers.”

This year, over $1 million was raised at the Virginia Beach Polar Plunge for Special Olympics.

Charlotte County’s Area 15 supporters will participate in their second Polar Plunge event of the year on Saturday, February 27 during the New River festival at Bisset Park.