GALLERY: Dozens take chilly plunge for charity in Sault Michigan

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - Nearly four dozen people braved the drizzly, damp, chilly conditions to take the plunge Saturday morning in the parking lot behind Venue 313 to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Kandi Wright, who is part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run that puts on the Polar Plunge, says the goal was to raise $10,000.

As of early Saturday afternoon, the total raised was already more than $18,000.

"Really excited to get this amount," Wright said. "I was told that if we were to get this event back, we would need to raise the $10,000. I was stressed about it not knowing if we were going to hit it.  My goal is to hit $20,000 now."

Carl McCready is the principal at Lincoln Elementary school. This is his third time taking the plunge.  

"I have worked with children for about 25 years now and Special Olympics is just near and dear to my heart," McCready said.

He took top honours in the best costume category, but says he can't take the credit for the crazy outfit he wore.

"A fundraiser was held at the school that whichever classroom raised the most money, they would design the outfit that I would wear. It ended up being Mrs. Jacques third-grade classroom that won. They came up with this outfit," McCready chuckled. "They got practice counting and learning about money along with designing the outfit so it was also an educational experience for them."

The entire Lincoln Elementary school raised nearly $3,600.

Afterward inside Venue 313, there was food, drink, music, 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction along with other fun activities.

The Green Bay Packers donated a football autographed by the whole team. The Detroit Lions donated a mini helmet autographed by Josh Reynolds. There was also a puck signed by the Red Wings.

To make an event like this successful, it needs a lot of planning. 

"This is not something we whipped together. I started planning this back in August. I reached out to sponsors in September to get donations and people have been very generous," Wright said.