PHOTO GALLERY: Residents participate in Polar Plunge

February 16, 2013 | 9:18 p.m. CST

On Saturday, residents plunged into Stephens Lake to raise money for the Special Olympics. The Polar Plunge is an annual event held around country to raise money for the Special Olympics. Many people and teams dressed up and brought their animals.

Special Olympics Athlete Sarah Byland stands with her group of plungers immediately before the start of the 2013 Columbia Polar Plunge fundraiser at Stephens Lake Park on Saturday.
| Elizabeth Cardwell

Walgreens employees dressed in blue with red headgear and painted faces place their hands over their hearts for the national anthem at the start of Columbia's Polar Plunge on Saturday at Stephens Lake Park.
| Elizabeth Cardwell

Makenzie Seever, right, dressed as Mario, assists Todd Bittle, left, with his costume before the Polar Plunge at Stephens Lake Park on Saturday. Bittle was dressed as Princess Peach. | Elizabeth Cardwell

Laura Kingsley, dressed as a red Tetris piece, smiles at her teammates as the group gets in line to jump in Stephens Lake during the annual Polar Plunge at Stephens Lake Park on Saturday.
| Elizabeth Cardwell

"Zombie dog" Bailey waits with a troop of Girl Scouts dressed as zombies before the Polar Plunge at Stephens Lake Park on Saturday. The Polar Plunge is an annual event held around the country to raise money for Special Olympic athletes.

| Elizabeth Cardwell