Iowa State students were making a big splash Saturday at the annual Polar Bear Plunge at Lake LaVerne.

The plunge was part of the Greek Week celebration, which ended Sunday.

Justin Chesnut, general co-chairman of Greek Week, said the committee’s goal was to raise $20,000 for Special Olympics Iowa.

“We’ll find out next week how much was actually collected,” said Chesnut, junior in agricultural systems technology.

Chesnut said about 240 students participated in the plunge, but more than 1,000 spectators showed up to view the event.

Andrew Erps, member of Delta Sigma Phi, said he decided to take the plunge because the event was raising money for the Special Olympics.

“It was very cold. Some other members of the house and I decided we’d go in, swim to the divers, give them a high five and swim back,” said Erps, senior in accounting.

Caisy Pickerill, member of Alpha Xi Delta, said she decided to do the activity with two friends from her sorority.

“We did it because it was for a good cause,” said Pickerill, freshman in business.

Pickerill said the local celebrities, such as ISU head football coach Dan McCarney and Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco, jumped in first, then the Greek Week Central Committee got in the lake, and then the greek houses were allowed to take the plunge.

“We were in there for about five minutes. It was cold, but it was fun,” she said.

Angie Kell, member of Chi Omega, said the water was a bit too chilly for her liking.

“Since there aren’t always a lot of things going on on campus, I decided to do it,” said Kell, junior in dietetics. “I was in there for probably only a milli-second because after I got in, I realized how cold it was.”

Andy Scott, member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, also took a dip in Lake LaVerne. Scott, sophomore in business, called the experience “freezing cold … [but] for a good cause.”

“I was probably in there for less than a minute. We swam out to the divers, and then we turned back,” he said.

Mark Muhlstein, member of Delta Tau Delta, said he would definitely participate in the Polar Bear Plunge again.

“I thought it was fun and a neat way to raise money for the Special Olympics,” said Muhlstein, sophomore in mechanical engineering.

Although some people braved the cold waters and jumped, others found an alternative method to help the cause.

Courtney Brown, member of Chi Omega, decided she would just donate $50 and stay dry.

“The water looked gross and nasty, so I just gave $50,” said Brown, sophomore in early childhood development and special education.

The Polar Bear Plunge was sponsored by KASI/KCCQ radio, Special Olympics Iowa, Greek Week and Mary Greeley Medical Center.

All the proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics Iowa.