While Greek Week at Iowa State is coming to a close, one of the final events will make an impact for a much longer time period and have a much further reach than our campus. The greek community’s annual Polar Bear Plunge helps raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Special Olympics Iowa.

Special Olympics Iowa has a mission “to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities by giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.”

More than 124,000 Iowans “have a mental or emotional illness that interferes with daily activities,” according to the Iowa Data Center. Organizations like Special Olympics Iowa help give individuals with disabilities an opportunity to compete in sports and be a part of a strong community.

Those who participate in Special Olympics Iowa gain “improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence, a more positive self-image and lifelong friendships,” according to the organization’s website. Below are some of the programs that help accomplish this:

• The Athlete Leadership programs educates and trains individuals with intellectual disabilities in literacy, leadership and speaking skills.

• Special Olympics Healthy Athletes helps the athletes improve their health and fitness through a variety of health services at clinics conducted in welcoming environments at Special Olympics competitions.

• “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign to help educate Iowa students about the hurtful nature of the word retard and advocate for them to stop using it.

Throughout the year, the Iowa State greek community continually finds philanthropic ways to serve needs and organizations within our community, state and nation. These acts exemplify service above self and show what can happen if you get behind a cause. Polar Plunge is just one of these actions.

Each member of the greek community who raises $75 or more gets to take a plunge into a cold pool outdoors on Saturday night. In 2015, the community raised $188,000 in 2015. At the beginning of Greek Week 2017, $216,000 had been raised.

Polar Bear Plunge takes place Saturday evening. Donations can be made before noon Saturday.