Looking for the 2025 Plunge? Click here!

The 2024 Plunge

We're so excited to be back for our 23rd Annual Polar Plunge Fundraiser! As usual, we'll be supporting several amazing Chicagoland families who need our support.

To get started with the CPBC, and help this year's families:

1) Click the Donate & Tickets button (top right, above) to register for the plunge and/or donate to a participant's fundraising page

2) Click the Start Fundraising button (above, underneath our fundraising goal) to setup your fundraising page and start collecting donations to help this year's families

See you at the beach in January!!

❤️ The CPBC

Individual Fundraising Rewards

Fundraising thank you rewards are back!

- Raise $100+ >> Get a free CPBC t-shirt!

- Raise $300+ >> Get a free CPBC hoodie!

2024 Families

This year, all proceeds from the plunge will go to help four ( 4 ) Chicago families. Learn more about each family's situation, and how we can help, on our website: https://www.chicagopolarbearclub.com/2024-families

The Carillo Family >>

Baby Arabella, born prematurely at 27 weeks, was diagnosed with two conditions that affect her lungs and ability to breathe. As a result, this tiny warrior relies on a ventilator to survive and needs around-the-clock medical attention. Every day is a battle, with frequent hospital visits that strain the family emotionally and financially.

The Black Family >>

Baby Edward and Essence were born prematurely at only 26 weeks. Both are now one-and-half years old, and Edward fortunately made amazing strides in his recovery, and was released to home in December 2022. His sister, Essence, however, is still on the road to recovery and has been hospitalized since birth (over 1.5 years).

The Morgan Family >>

Marshon Morgan (17), the oldest of five siblings, has been on a challenging medical journey most of his life. Most notably, at 9-years old, complications from surgery tragically left Marshon paralyzed from the waist down. Fortunately, after nearly two years in the hospital, he has recovered enough that his doctors are ready to discharge Marshon and get him back home with his family. While this is a moment to celebrate, the Morgan family faces a significant dilemma: they don't have a suitable home for Marshon's needs.

The Mudasar-Asghr Family >>

Fatima and Mudasar's journey to the United States has been fraught with challenges, starting with their escape from Pakistan due to the threats they faced as an inter-religious couple. Upon their arrival in the US, Mudasar was immediately detained for 18 months, leaving a pregnant Fatima alone to navigate a new country, give birth, and care for their daughter. Though the family has finally been reunited, Mudasar’s health had deteriorated significantly during his time in detention, leaving him unable to work, making life on all fronts challenging for the now family of five.

About the CPBC

The Chicago Polar Bear Club / 'CPBC' (formerly the Lakeview Polar Bear Club / 'LPBC') started in 2001, and every January since then, we've brought together a group of awesome people to do something a little crazy, generous, and pretty darn chilly. More specifically, we take dare to care by taking the plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan to raise money for Chicago-area families.

Learn more about the CPBC by visiting our website: www.chicagopolarbearclub.com

And remember: All participants and spectators acknowledge the risks, liability, & waiver detailed here

23rd Annual Polar Plunge Fundraiser

Hosted by the Chicago Polar Bear Club (CPBC)

Team Leaderboard

Team Members