Monroe Polar Plunge 2013

Organizers of the Monroe Polar Plunge 2013 expected about 150 hearty souls to take a chilly dip into the River Raisin on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, in Monroe for a good cause: Raising money for Special Olympics Michigan. Participants gathered between the Clamdigger restaurant, 1540 East Elm Ave., and Riverfront Marina. The plunge was done in a pool since there wasn't enough water in Lake Erie. CLICK ANY IMAGE TO VIEW FULL PHOTO, START SLIDE SHOW.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Denise Dashner of Temperance is ready to take the plunge in her costume. The plunge was done in a pool ... THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo A group of plungers surround a big polar bear that was walking around during the event. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo From left, Meegan Smith, Jessica Vacek, and John Basile, of Carleton, Mich., plunge into the water. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Jason Vacek, dressed in a Ghillie suit, of Carleton takes a dive. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Jason Vacek, dressed in a Ghillie suit, emerges from the pool. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Jessica Vacek of Carleton, Mich., runs to the heated changing room after taking plunge. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Denise Dashner of Temperance, right, has her picture taken by Domingo Valadez before getting wet. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Mike Faylor of Point Place holds his arms up in the air to pump up the crowd. Faylor said that this was on his "bucket list." THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Ice is added to the pool to make it colder. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Water splashes after the first plunger hits the pool. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Mike Faylor of Point Place reacts to hitting the water. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Christiaan Carlton of Monroe jumps sideways into the pool. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Schon LaBell, center, takes a picture of his daughter taking the plunge. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT