Manhattan residents braved icy waters for a good cause

Participants run into the water during the 2026 Polar Plunge. Courtesy: Emily Willi

Participants run into the water during the 2026 Polar Plunge. Courtesy: Emily Willi

People huddle together on the beach during the 2026 Polar Plunge. Courtesy: Emily Willi

Two women walk on the beach, one with a towel and one with a jacket. Courtesy: Emily WIlli

Two women face away from the camera. Courtesy: Emily Willi

Three people huddle together on the beach with jackets on. Courtesy: Emily Willi

Listen to the Full Audio StoryBy. Emily Willi

1:18

Saturday, February 14th, Manhattan held its annual “Polar Plunge” in support of the Special Olympics in Kansas. 

Event coordinator Katelyn Andrist said this is a huge fundraiser for them, but it isn't just about raising money for the athletes— Andrist says this gives people a chance to put themselves into the shoes of the athletes 

Katelyn Andrist Quote 1

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“I think people forget individuals with intellectual disabilities— they don’t feel included in spaces, so for us to be freezing cold here with rain, we are also feeling how they feel all the time— they're feeling uncomfortable, they're not understood.” 

Despite the freezing rain, hundreds of plungers still showed up to take part in the event— and to Andrist, this support shows how much people care about the Special Olympics. 

Katelyn Andrist Quote 2

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“I just thought it was so beautiful that everybody did not care that it was raining and that it was cold— they still showed up for our athletes. I think it just shows right there that everyone has love, and it’s a choice, and so at Special Olympics, we choose to understand, to love, and to include.” 

The fundraising goal was to raise $18,000, but by Sunday, they had surpassed that goal, raising almost 25,000. 

As for Andrist, her goal is to get more Manhattan residents involved and to know about the polar plunge and what it does for the Special Olympics.