Lake Laverne will play host to the Polar Bear Plunge for participants who are “Freezin’ for a Reason.”

Year after year, students raise a at least $50 each to jump into the chilly lake to raise funds for the Ames Special Olympics. Although this community service event is a part of Greek Week 2012, both greeks and non-greeks alike join together as a student body for a common cause. 

Already more than 1,000 people have signed up to take the plunge and more than $36,000 has been raised. The overall goal for donations is set at $63,000.

For those who find the plunge to be too adventurous for their taste, fundraising is open to all. Donations can be collected at FirstGiving.com after searching for the Ames Polar Plunge.

Changes in society have already started to take place in correlation with the Special Olympics. On March 6 of this year, Governor Terry Branstad signed a proclamation in the State Capitol to pronounce the date of March 7 as “Spread the Word to End the Word” day. The day promotes the effort to “eliminate the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.”

The donations can go above and beyond the required $50.

This year the Polar Bear Plunge will take place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, with registration at the Memorial Union Terrace from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.