Jeremy Stein has coached in Special Olympics Illinois in Dekalb County for the past 11 years, and along with the help of his Iddy Biddy Pool School staff, volunteers through Opportunity House of Sycamore.
“One of my proudest accomplishments is to have a team that takes no money and gives up every Sunday morning to coach,” Stein says. “I think that speaks of their great character. They take as much pride in helping the community as I do.”
To that end, he started taking the Polar Plunge for the athletes 10 years ago, and his has joined in for 9 of those plunges, too. But they do not just take the Plunge, they take the Plunge in style. Their themes have won them nine first place awards for Best Costume.
“We have done everything from pirate ships to submarines to 20-foot sharks and fish,” Stein says. “I have found the bigger the costumes, the bigger the donations from everyone that helps out.”
Their team has raised closed to $50,000.
In addition to Stein’s staff and friends, The Iddy Biddy Pool School team usually includes a few Special Olympics athletes and parents.
What keeps Stein plunging is karma. “I’m a firm believer that giving back to the community and helping those in need keeps my life happy and simple. I truly feel I discovered an amazing family with Special Olympics Illinois.”
He continues, “For the small investment of my time, I get one of the best things in my life.”
If you would like to join Stein at the Rockford Plunge on March 5 at Olson Lake in Rock Cut State Park or want to plunge at any of Illinois’s 21 locations, visit PlungeIllinois.com.
You can register to take the plunge or support Jeremy Stein’s team by clicking here.