Bridgeview, Burbank police ready for Polar Plunge
By Steve Metsch
Bridgeview Police Officer Josh Brander and some of his colleagues can’t wait to go swimming Saturday.
No, it’s not in the warm comfort of a YMCA swimming pool or a local hotel.
This will happen outside. On March 5. In Northern Illinois.
It’s not exactly swimming weather, which is why it’s called the Polar Plunge.
The plunge is a fundraiser for the Illinois Special Olympics. Brander and his crew will be diving into the water at the Manteno Sportsmen’s Club.
It’s his seventh year. He will soon celebrate his eighth year with the police department.
“We’re doing it for the Illinois Torch Run,” he said. “The Polar Plunge is an event the Special Olympics throws. It’s one of the many that the law enforcement torch run is part of.”
The polar plungers are asking friend for donations.
“Last year, we raised just over $26,000 with all the events,” Brander said. “I believe that was the highest we achieved so far. This year, we’re trying to blow it out of the water.”
Brander is co-captain of the Bridgeview team with Tom Novak. Novak is not a police officer, but had been a tow truck driver for the company used by the Bridgeview Police Department.
Asked about the potential chill that awaits, Brander said: “I’m hoping they have to cut holes in the ice.”
“That’s the whole idea. The hashtag we go with is ‘Be bold, get cold.’ It’s exiting. Jumping in that water is exhilarating,” Brander said. “When you get out, you feel fantastic.”
What also makes him feel good is the reason.
“When you’re there and you see these (Special Olympics) athletes and you know what the money is going for, it’s not about the cold. It’s just a lot of fun.”
He’s always sure to submerge completely in the water during his “quick little dip.”
In past years, they’ve seen temperatures ranging from 5 to 50 degrees. “We’ll have some tents, some heaters, cater some food and have a big group there.”
Bridgeview police are teaming up with Burbank police this year.
“This is their first time at Manteno, so we’re taking a bus,” Brander said. “There are about 15 people on our team and the same for Burbank.”
If you want more information or want to donate to the cause, visit www.soill.org. There you can click on Polar Plunge 2022.
“So far, we have raised as a team just over $9,000,” Brander said. “That’s strictly for the Polar Plunge. That’s the highest we’ve gotten for the Polar Plunge itself. We set a goal of $12,500 and we’re pretty close.”
Local News
Year of growth | Evergreen Park enjoying inaugural boys volleyball season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After almost 70 years of existence as a high school, Evergreen Park finally has a boys volleyball team. The Mustangs are playing their inaugural season with a junior varsity squad, with some matches being played at the varsity level. Head coach Brian Zofkie is leading this group with assistant…
‘Brazen and cowardly’: Police, community outraged by officer’s slaying
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac Police and others across the Southwest Side reacted with outrage this week over the slaying of a Chicago Police officer in the early morning hours on Sunday. Officer Luis M. Huesca was shot to death on the street in the 3100 block of West 56th Street at 2:53 a.m.…
Swanson scores, assists in Red Stars’ win over Reign
Spread the loveThe Red Stars improved to 3-1-1 by beating the Seattle Reign, 2-1, on the road on April 21. Mallory Swanson had an assist on an Ali Schlegel goal in the fourth minute and added a goal of her own in the 31st minute. Swanson missed last season after sustaining a knee injury on…
Red Stars’ Tatumn Milazzo has top Save of the Week
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Tatumn Milazzo called her achievement “funny.” The Chicago Red Stars defender and Orland Park native was awarded the NWSL’s Save of the Week after chasing down a ball in a loss to Angel City on April 13. The Save of the Week usually goes to a goalie. Milazzo laughed…
Men’s College Volleyball | Saint Xavier captures fifth straight conference tourney title
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The SXU men’s volleyball team won its fifth straight Chicagoland Christian Athletic Conference tournament championship after a 25-16, 25-17, 25-22 sweep of Calumet College of St. Joseph on April 20 at the Shannon Center. Jan Lopuch had 10 kills and nine digs for the Cougars. With the win, the…
College Baseball | Saint Xavier upsets Eastern Illinois
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Saint Xavier baseball team picked up a win that its players are going to remember for a long time. The Cougars stunned Eastern Illinois, 4-2, on April 17 in Charleston. It was the Cougars’ first win over the Panthers, a Division I program, since 2005. Lyons grad Troy…
St. Laurence hoops teams top honor roll
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Area basketball teams proved to be strong on the court and in the classroom this season, and St. Laurence was the leader of the pack. The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association compiled a list of the top academic teams, and the area did well. In Division 3 girls, St. Laurence…
Neighbors
Year of growth | Evergreen Park enjoying inaugural boys volleyball season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After almost 70 years of existence as a high school, Evergreen Park finally has a boys volleyball team. The Mustangs are playing their inaugural season with a junior varsity squad, with some matches being played at the varsity level. Head coach Brian Zofkie is leading this group with assistant…
‘Brazen and cowardly’: Police, community outraged by officer’s slaying
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac Police and others across the Southwest Side reacted with outrage this week over the slaying of a Chicago Police officer in the early morning hours on Sunday. Officer Luis M. Huesca was shot to death on the street in the 3100 block of West 56th Street at 2:53 a.m.…
Swanson scores, assists in Red Stars’ win over Reign
Spread the loveThe Red Stars improved to 3-1-1 by beating the Seattle Reign, 2-1, on the road on April 21. Mallory Swanson had an assist on an Ali Schlegel goal in the fourth minute and added a goal of her own in the 31st minute. Swanson missed last season after sustaining a knee injury on…
Red Stars’ Tatumn Milazzo has top Save of the Week
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Tatumn Milazzo called her achievement “funny.” The Chicago Red Stars defender and Orland Park native was awarded the NWSL’s Save of the Week after chasing down a ball in a loss to Angel City on April 13. The Save of the Week usually goes to a goalie. Milazzo laughed…
Men’s College Volleyball | Saint Xavier captures fifth straight conference tourney title
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The SXU men’s volleyball team won its fifth straight Chicagoland Christian Athletic Conference tournament championship after a 25-16, 25-17, 25-22 sweep of Calumet College of St. Joseph on April 20 at the Shannon Center. Jan Lopuch had 10 kills and nine digs for the Cougars. With the win, the…
College Baseball | Saint Xavier upsets Eastern Illinois
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Saint Xavier baseball team picked up a win that its players are going to remember for a long time. The Cougars stunned Eastern Illinois, 4-2, on April 17 in Charleston. It was the Cougars’ first win over the Panthers, a Division I program, since 2005. Lyons grad Troy…
St. Laurence hoops teams top honor roll
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Area basketball teams proved to be strong on the court and in the classroom this season, and St. Laurence was the leader of the pack. The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association compiled a list of the top academic teams, and the area did well. In Division 3 girls, St. Laurence…