More than 5,000 participants take Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

CHICAGO (WLS) -- More than 5,000 people gathered at Chicago's North Avenue Beach Sunday for the 2018 Chicago Polar Plunge.

The event was a fundraiser for Special Olympics. Sunday was the Chicago-founded organization's 50th anniversary.

Participants included former Bears player Otis Wilson and ABC7's Ravi Baichwal.

The Polar Plunge raised over $1.6 million for Special Olympics. Donations will be accepted through the end of March at chicagopolarplunge.org.