The annual Polar Plunge at Breezy Point. In total $1,394,120 has been collected to help the Special Olympics in its 19-year history.
Saturday, March 1, 2025: The annual event raised 61,766. It started out with a costume competition. Even Santa was there. The Brainerd VFW team was a big part of the action with costumes and jumping through a hole in the ice. That included Gambling Manager Chuck Hanson and crew. The Brainerd VFW post donated $2000 and the auxiliary donated $300. Individuals who gave $300 or more received a card and shirt. Photos compliments of Mike and Karen Williams.
Saturday, March 2, 2024, 12 pm: The local Polar Plunge was at the Breezy Point Resort. Some $60,015 was raised for Special Olympics Minnesota. Everyone was very respectful when the National Anthem was played at the beginning of the event. Flickr page.
Just one of the many teams jumping that day.
A fun time was had by all.
The local Polar Plunge was held Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Breezy Point Resort. There was costume judging, then brave ones plunged into the icy waters of Pelican Lake starting at noon. 187 Plungers raised $47,014! Fun to see an even more fun to be a part of. It was a charity event with lots of fun. The Brainerd VFW donated $1500.
The Brainerd VFW Crew (l-r) Gabe Williams, Casey, Bergen and Nic Hanson.
Nic Hanson and Gabe Williams jumping.
Saturday, March 5, 2022, Four members of the Brainerd VFW crew, plus friends, showed up at the Breezy Point Resort.
The costume contest started at noon. Then 242 brave souls dove into frigid water of Pelican Lake! About $67,049 was raised for charity.
The costume contest started at noon. Then 242 brave souls dove into frigid water of Pelican Lake! About $67,049 was raised for charity.
The Brainerd VFW team. (l-r) Steve Loschko, Gretchen Loschko, Louisa Loschko, Anna Hanson, Nic Hanson, Bergen Hanson
Photo of less than half of the gathered crowd. More photos from 2022 below.
March 7, 2020: The annual Polar Plunge event to raise money for Minnesota's Special Olympics was held at Breezy Point, MN. Some 170 brave souls jumped into the icy water of Pelican lake in this effort. The Brainerd Area Lakers were sponsored by the Brainerd VFW. Bergen Hanson, daughter of Brainerd VFW members Chuck and Karen Hanson, was the star of the show. She proudly showed off the traveling trophy for the best team costume contest. Bergen is seen in an orange outfit with the rest of the team. She jumped as well. $73,428 was raised that day in this charity event.
Saturday, March 2, 2019: Brainerd VFW Post 1647 participated in the annual Polar Plunge at Breezy Point, MN. The event raised money to help Special Olympics Minnesota. There was a costume judging contest, which was won by the VFW last year. Brainerd VFW Gambling Manager Chuck Hanson was the oldest participant at age 73. He and others from the post jumped in the near-freezing water of Pelican lake in this fund raiser. The Brainerd VFW team raised $5000 for Special Olympics.
March 3, 2018: The annual Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics Minnesota was held at the Breezy Point Resort. The Brainerd VFW has been a big sponsor of the event and won the best costume competition the previous two years. This time they were dressed in Black as the Addams Family. The Walmart team was judged best costume this year with their red cone hats. Plungers raise money for this charity by diving into icy water. The last photos in this gallery show Brainerd VFW Gambling Manager Chuck Hanson and his daughter Bergen. Every year they say it is their last, but every year they are back for another dunking in 33 degree water. That's dedication! Some 326 plungers raised over $74,000 for Special Olympics Minnesota this year.
