Gabe Ehrnwald

Daily Egyptian

Neither the blaring theme music from "Jaws" nor the 41-degree water could keep southern Illinois residents from lending a helping hand this weekend.

Nearly 200 participants, some even dressed in costume, jumped in the frigid water for the annual Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics at North Marcum Beach at Rend Lake Saturday afternoon.

Jo Dodd, co-coordinator of the event, said 161 plungers raised $37, 400. Participants solicit donations for the Special Olympics in exchange for their plunge into Rend Lake, which is about 40 miles north of Carbondale.

Dodd said the event started in 1999 at Lake Bluff and has spread to more than 15 locations across the state. Since its start, the event has raised about $1.2 million to benefit the Special Olympics, an organization that gives adults and children with disabilities the chance to compete in Olympic-style events.

Regardless of Saturday's 30-degree weather, a movie star, SpongeBob Squarepants and his sidekick Patrick, patriotic sailors, clowns and a man wearing a seven-foot boat all made appearances at the Polar Plunge.

Wearing a two-foot-high yellow beehive hairdo, a red feather boa, evening gloves and a pair of sunglasses, Marian Furlow of Christopher said she liked to keep people guessing as to her identity.

"People keep asking me if I'm Dolly Parton." Furlow said. "But I just tell them that I'm famous."

Furlow said she became involved in the event through her grandson's Cub Scout pack in Christopher. She said she dressed up in her flashy outfit and went around to local businesses and hit up people she knew for donations.

Once she made the icy plunge, Furlow said was determined to make it to the end of the line where the Rend Lake dive and rescue team was stationed.

"I was thinking about 'Chariots of Fire' as I ran out to the water, thinking 'I hope I make it,'" she said.

Furlow raised $759 in donations, Dodd said.

"I think this is a great way to help southern Illinois because all of the money raised stays here in the region," Furlow said.

Rhonda Knight, co-coordinator for the Polar Plunge, said all the money raised Saturday would stay in southern Illinois to benefit area Special Olympians. The money raised goes to events such as the summer games in June and other individuals and teams that advance to state competitions.

While there were almost 50 more participants than last year's plunge, Knight said the number of participants grows every year.

Perry Follmann, who represented the Herrin Fire Department, said the plunge was his first and the experience was awesome. Follmann said participated because it was for a good cause and plans on returning next year with some fellow firefighters.

"I wish there would have been ice on the lake," Follmann said. "That would have made it more fun."