Cold Water, Common Cause: Coon Rapids Police and Fire Unite for the 2026 Anoka County Polar Plunge

Anoka, MN

On a winter afternoon when Minnesota cold sharpens the senses and strips away pretense, hundreds of people will step deliberately into icy water for something larger than themselves.

On Saturday, February 28, 2026, at noon, the Anoka County Polar Plunge returns to Lakeside Commons Park in Blaine, drawing residents, first responders, families, and spectators to one of the region’s most enduring civic fundraisers. The event is part of a statewide series that serves as the signature annual fundraiser for Special Olympics Minnesota, supporting thousands of athletes across the state.

This year, the plunge carries added symbolism. The Coon Rapids Police Department and Coon Rapids Fire Department have formally объединed their fundraising efforts, presenting a joint front rooted in a shared public service mission and a long-standing relationship with Special Olympics through the Law Enforcement Torch Run, a global movement in which first responders serve as “Guardians of the Flame.”

A regional tradition with statewide reach

The Anoka County Polar Plunge is one stop in a broader Minnesota calendar of plunges that collectively fund Special Olympics Minnesota’s year-round programming. While the visual is simple, a fast walk into frigid water and an even faster retreat, the impact has proven substantial.

Over its 14-year history, the Anoka County event alone has generated more than $2.44 million. In 2025, 927 plungers raised $233,141, marking one of the strongest single-year performances since the event’s inception. Those figures place the Anoka County plunge among the most productive local fundraisers in the statewide series.

The 2026 event marks the third consecutive year the plunge has been hosted at Lakeside Commons Park, located at 3020 Lakes Parkway. The site has become a familiar winter gathering point, with organizers once again planning shuttle service from nearby hubs such as the Blainbrook Entertainment Center, Renovation Church, and Pizza Pub Prime beginning around 11:00 a.m., helping manage crowds and parking before the noon plunge.

Plungers are typically asked to check in 30 to 60 minutes before the event begins.

Why police and fire show up, together

For Coon Rapids Police and Fire, participation is not ceremonial. Their involvement is tied directly to the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which connects first responders across jurisdictions to Special Olympics athletes through fundraising, advocacy, and visibility.

By merging their 2026 efforts, the departments are signaling something simple but increasingly rare in public life: collaboration without competition. Donations made on behalf of the joint Coon Rapids Police and Fire team go directly to Special Olympics Minnesota, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Individual participants typically must raise a minimum of $75 to take the plunge and receive the official commemorative T-shirt, though team leaders often encourage participants to aim higher, knowing the downstream impact of every additional dollar.

Where the money goes

Special Olympics Minnesota provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The work extends well beyond athletic events.

Funds raised through the Polar Plunge support:

• Sports access across 17 Olympic-style sports, offered at no cost to athletes or their families
• Health screenings that address disparities in vision, hearing, dental care, and overall wellness
• Leadership development programs that elevate athlete voices
• Unified Champion Schools, which promote inclusion and shared activities between students with and without disabilities in Minnesota schools

Statewide, these programs serve more than 8,000 athletes, many of whom rely on Polar Plunge fundraising to sustain participation.

How the public can take part

Participation is not limited to those willing to enter the water.

Community members can:

• Sponsor the Coon Rapids Police and Fire team through the official fundraising page
• Register to plunge as an individual or team member
• Volunteer in roles ranging from registration and incentive distribution to assisting with the event mascot
• Attend as a spectator, joining hundreds who line the beach to cheer on participants

The Anoka County Polar Plunge remains free and open to the public, a rare winter event where spectacle and substance align.

For Coon Rapids Police and Fire, the message is straightforward. In a season defined by cold, this is one day when standing together, and briefly stepping into discomfort, helps ensure opportunity, dignity, and inclusion for thousands of Minnesota athletes long after the ice has melted.

MinneapoliMedia