It was more than 70 degrees and sunny on Saturday, but the Polar Plunge was still frigid. Sixty-seven daredevils raised about $15,000 for the Special Olympics by plunging into the icy Memorial Park pond.

Teams wore matching costumes as they took the plunge.

Members of the Rapid City West Baseball Club wore full baseball uniforms, and Corral Drive Elementary School Principal Gregg McNabb wore the tutu suggested by his students, joined by teachers Megan Davis, Mollie Silver, Katie Teeslink and Melinda Sterling and student teacher Erin Chalberg.

After jumping, they raced to the adjoining hot tub. McNabb's team raised $1,048.18.

A group of stay-at-home moms called the "Chilly Mamas" participated with encouragement from member Christina Barsch.

"It's something you can do that's crazy but not that dangerous," said Barsch, who is from Arizona.

"They always razz me because I'm freezing all the time. … So if I could do it, they could."

The women, who wore grass skirts and leis, raised $945. All agreed they were grateful for the nice weather, because the cold water was so shocking.

"It was like you hit an electric fence accidentally," Chilly Mama Ruth Hein said.

Jason Herz, father of 11-month-old Jackson, who has Down syndrome, plunged in wearing a business suit, as his wife Vanessa and Jackson watched. Herz wanted to support Special Olympics so his son would have a place to enjoy sports.

"I grew up playing sports," he said. "We worried about how he would learn the kinds of lessons I did."

Herz raised $900 from family and friends.

To prepare for the event, law enforcement divers attacked the frozen pond with a chainsaw for an hour to cut a room-sized hole in the frozen pond. Divers stayed to help shocked plungers out of the water.

"It's a win-win situation all around," Dustin Willit of the Rapid City fire department said.

The department volunteers for the event because it's a good cause and a training opportunity. They can check equipment and get experience in the water.

Lieutenant Dave Stratton said the Polar Plunge is part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

"East River is really strong," he said. "We want to increase our efforts."

This is the first time in five years the Polar Plunge has taken place here.

Stratton and event organizer Monica Burgess said this year, a big effort by law enforcement, parents, and athletes helped bring back the fundraiser that had been an annual event in the past.

Burgess supports Special Olympics because she is the mother of a 12-year-old with Down syndrome.

"It gives our kids the ability to participate in sports, community and society in a friendly environment at their skill level," she said.

Heather Engel volunteered for the plunge because she saw her son blossom when he participated in Special Olympics.

"It was so amazing to see him grow and become more confident," she said.

Special Olympics athlete Tyler Brink, 16, said his favorite part of the Special Olympics is that his parents watch and cheer for him.

On Saturday, he watched his father jump in the freezing water.

"I felt like I was jumping in with him," Tyler said.