Special Olympics supporters brave icy waters in 2023 Polar Plunge

Local law enforcement and Special Olympics supporters took a dive into frigid waters to raise nearly $10,000 for local and state Special Olympics programs at the 2023 SubZero SuperHero Polar Plunge at Town Square Saturday.

The event, which has been held by local law enforcement for years, is intended to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics and support its athletes, and it seems to have had a great turnout this year.

Hill County Sheriff's Deputy Alex Esteves, one of the event's primary organizers, said it looks like they've made around $10,000 in donations and 100 percent of that money is going to stay in Montana, with 60 percent staying in the local community.

Esteves said the money that was raised by the event, the centerpiece of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, will supply local athletes with training equipment, pay for travel expenses and generally help them do what they do, and that's a worthy cause.

"We're just glad that we were able to do this," he said.

Esteves has been an organizer for the event for some time, and this is his fourth time plunging, and apparently the easiest.

"Slightly less torturous this year," he said jokingly.

He said the first year he plunged he did it out at Nelson Reservoir, cutting through a substantial amount of ice just to get at the water, and the two years after that were just much colder than this year.

Another person to brave the chilling waters this year was Special Olympics Local Program Coordinator Kassie Johnson, a 12-year special education teacher, who led the Havre Public School team at the plunge, and she wanted to express her thanks to her fellow plungers and everyone who attended.

"It makes me feel so good that our community was able to come out today and support this great cause, everyone who volunteered, donated, and then everyone who participated today," Johnson said.

She said this is her first year as the Special Olympics LPC, and it's an important year for the district, as this is the first time in years that they've had a Special Olympics Team.

She said this new team will be participating in bowling this year, and in the spring will also be doing track and field.

Johnson said inclusion is incredibly important and there are so many people with disabilities who have skills worth celebrating, and Special Olympics, and the events that support it are great opportunities for them to show those skills.

She said the amount of support shown that day, and the money they raised made her excited for the local program, and proud of her community.

"I'm so shocked about it," she said. "But that's the thing about this community. Whenever we need support Havre steps up."