Fort Mill, Tega Cay police raise $11K in Lake Wylie plunge for Special Olympics

With temperatures in the mid-40s, more than 50 people were gutsy enough to jump into the frigid waters of Lake Wylie Saturday to help a good cause.

The “Freezin’ for a Reason 2016 Polar Plunge,” hosted by the Fort Mill and Tega Cay police departments at the Tega Cay Beach Club, raised more than $11,000 for Special Olympics, surpassing the $10,000 goal, organizers said.

The event was a fundraiser for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which raises money to directly benefit Special Olympics athletes, said Mike Still, state director of the run. Law enforcement agencies raise money for Special Olympics in a variety of ways.

Participants raised or paid at least $50 to make the jump.

Some of the local notable participants included Tega Cay Police Chief Steve Parker, Nation Ford High Principal Jason Johns, Fort Mill High Principal Dee Christopher and Chris Gardner, principal of Tega Cay Elementary, who took honors as the top individual fundraiser.

This story was originally published February 6, 2016 at 1:54 PM with the headline "Fort Mill, Tega Cay police raise $11K in Lake Wylie plunge for Special Olympics."