"I'm a police officer and I just do it because it's giving back to our community," Officer Mandi Brunner, who jumped with Lansing Police Department at the event and has plunged for 13 years, said. "It's a positive light, the athletes and the people that are involved with Special Olympics really look up to the public service careers and I just want to be a positive role model in their eyes."

Valerie Suszko is a teacher and also the Area 8 Special Olympics fundraising chair who has been volunteering for the Special Olympics for 33 years.

"We have close to 8,000 athletes," Suszko said. "The cause is wonderful. We raise money for the athletes so that they can get equipment, uniform and be able to compete at state and local levels, and world. We currently have two athletes that will be going to the World Winter Games in Austria."

The athletes in attendance were excited about the success of the event.

Leslie Venema is 30 years old, lives with cognitive impairment and will be cross-country skiing at the World Games in a few weeks. She attended the plunge and said she has been training hard and can't wait to go to Austria. 

"This is a great event to bring communities together for one great cause," said Hannah Rickers, an intern at the unified sports department at the Special Olympics headquarters at Central Michigan University.

The Special Olympics of Michigan will be hosting many plunges throughout the year to raise awareness and money for the athletes. To get involved, visit their website.