Each year ISU students jump in Lake LaVerne to benefit the Iowa Special Olympics as part of Greek Week.

For the fifth year, Greek Week will have the Polar Bear Plunge at 5 p.m. Saturday, the final day of Greek Week.

The Special Olympics is an organization that provides sports training and athletic competition for individuals with mental disabilities, said Kristi Shoultz, director of special events for the Special Olympics of Iowa.

“The continuing support of Iowa State students has been very instrumental in helping the Special Olympics achieve the level of success they have today,” Shoultz said.

The money raised from the Polar Bear Plunge benefits Special Olympics’ athletes by cutting expenses they would normally be charged during the summer games in Ames, including room, board and equipment, Shoultz said.

The Polar Bear Plunge is one of the largest fund-raising events in the state, and benefits more than 12,000 athletes from all 99 counties in Iowa.

“The Plunge is a great opportunity for students to help make a difference in the lives of so many others by merely jumping in the lake at the center of campus,” said Dan Klocke, Greek Week community service coordinator.

Although this event is sponsored mostly by greek community members, anyone can participate in the Polar Bear Plunge if they raise $50 and are willing to jump into Lake LaVerne.

There is usually a celebrity guest who participates. Past celebrity plungers have included Thomas Hill, vice-president of student affairs the football head coach Dan McCarney, said Ryan Kruger, general Greek Week central co-chair.

A Special Olympics’ athlete from the Story County area will give the Special Olympics oath to the participants at Lake LaVerne.

The oath reads: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

This year, some of the Special Olympics’ athletes may participate in the actual plunge, Shoultz said.

“Every year, the students have continued to raise more money than the year before,” Shoultz said.

“The Polar Bear Plunge is one of the only chances to jump into Lake LaVerne without getting into trouble, and it’s a great experience,” said Klocke, junior in mechanical engineering.

After the Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday, there will be an award ceremony for all of Greek Week’s events on Central Campus.

Following the ceremony at 8 p.m., there will be a concert south of the Campanile.

The Nadas will be playing, said Josh Lembrich, Interfraternity Council recruitment co-coordinator. All of the members of the band were members of the ISU greek community.

All students are welcome to attend the free Nadas concert on Central Campus if they bring their ISU card.

“Greek Week is a great opportunity to show others how the focus of the events revolve around the community and everyone can have a good time without alcohol,” said Lembrich, junior in finance.