Pittsburgh Polar Plunge Raises More Than $500,000 For Special Olympics

The Pittsburgh Polar Plunge had dozens in attendance Saturday, either as spectators or those taking a swim in order to benefit the Special Olympics Pennsylvania.

The 2020 Pittsburgh Polar Plunge required that individuals donate at least $50 or more for Special Olympic athletes. As part of the tradition, participants took a plunge into cold waters even in the freezing temperatures. While the event was held at Heinz Field, people dove into small pools instead of the river.

Many police departments took part in the fundraising festivities. Pittsburgh Police, Millvale Police, Mt. Lebanon Police, Shaler Township Police and state troopers are just a few law enforcement departments who participated.

A regular attendee is Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert.

“We’ve never done it before and through the commitment of a lot of people who dug down deep from the teams to the people in the community, giving from their heart, so we’ve raised over $570,000, which we’re just so, so happy just to make that mark,” Chief Schubert said. “We know really where it goes to and that’s for the athletes. They don’t have to pay for anything.”