The water is cold, but the rewards will be great for anyone brave enough to do the Polar Plunge on Feb. 28.

For starters, all money raised through the event - which involves jumping into the frigid waters of Memorial Pond - goes to support Special Olympics in South Dakota. And if that's not enough inspiration, organizers have something else to offer.

"Each jumper gets a towel and our lifelong gratitude," said Rapid City Police Lt. Dave Stratton with a grin.

Stratton is organizing this year's event for Law Enforcement Torch Run of South Dakota, a group that raises money and awareness for Special Olympics. More than 1,600 athletes with cognitive disabilities participate in Special Olympics in South Dakota, according to a news release from the Rapid City Police Department.

Money raised through the Polar Plunge helps cover the cost of uniforms, equipment, transportation for athletes and other expenses.

Last year's Polar Plunge drew 67 jumpers and raised $18,645, Stratton said. Proceeds from this year's event will be divided among Special Olympics South Dakota, Special Olympics Rapid City Area (SORCA) and Black Hills Workshop, which serves many Special Olympics athletes.

Each jumper must raise at least $100 to participate in the Polar Plunge.

Last year's participants included one person who happened to be walking by and thought the event looked like fun. "He wrote a check and jumped in the water," Stratton said.

Anyone is welcome to jump, although minors must have a parent's signature. Registration starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, with the plunge at 2 p.m. Entries will be accepted right up until 2 p.m.

But if you want to watch you'd better be on time. With water temperatures hovering around 34 degrees, the event doesn't last long.

"They hit the water, and it's pretty quick," Stratton said, laughing. Divers will be in the water to help jumpers exit the pond quickly.

If you need moral support you can jump with a group. At least one school has entered a team, which Stratton hopes might challenge other schools to enlist more jumpers and raise more money. Clubs, businesses, high school organizations and others are also welcome.

Stratton is issuing a challenge of his own. He'd love to raise $65,000 - the equivalent of about $1 per Rapid City resident. That would allow groups like SORCA to "worry about things more important than money," he said. "I think this community can do it."

There will be prizes for the most money raised by a team, individual and school. There is also a prize for the best costume.

Registration forms, rules and liability forms are available at www.sosd.org. Jumpers can also set up a fund-raising page that allows people to donate on-line through the "first giving" option.

For more information contact Stratton at 394-4117 or dave.stratton@rcgov.org.

Contact Heidi Bell Gease at 394-8419 or heidi.bell@rapidcityjournal.com