UPDATE:

JOPLIN, Mo. — Nearly 50 people braved the chilly November waters of Shoal Creek, this weekend, with a goal to raise $10,000 for Special Olympics Missouri.

They did just that — and more. Funds from the event amounted to over $10,600 for the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri. This is the first Joplin Polar Plunge held in several years. This year, the event was co-hosted by officials from both the Joplin and Carthage Police Departments.

Haley Blevins, the Special Olympics Missouri Southwest Area Development Director, says the weekend event was a complete success — and organizers are already looking forward to next year’s plunge.

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JOPLIN, Mo. — People were freezin’ for a good reason — as the Joplin Polar Plunge returns after seven years.

It’s all for Special Olympics Missouri — and organizers say it’s the group’s biggest fundraiser of the year. 50 brave “Polar Bears” turned out to take a very cold dip in Shoal Creek, today (Saturday).

“Special Olympics Missouri” officials tell us — the goal is to raise $10,000 for athletes.

Authorities with Carthage police joined forces with Joplin police to co-host the event — and they say they were excited to dress up for this year’s Polar Plunge theme.

“The Polar Plunge theme this year is disco. So we decided to go on Amazon and find the coolest disco costumes we could find,” said Eric Miller, Carthage Police Department.

“Wigs and all,” said Ethan Snow, Carthage Police Department.

“Wigs and all. It’s just a great cause for the athletes, and we just really enjoyed doing that for them. So,” said Miller.

Polar Plunge organizers say plans are already in the works for next year’s plunge. They tell us next year’s theme is Hawaiian.