By Karen Haave
Law enforcement teams from Crete and Monee were among the hundreds of participants to take a dip in the icy waters of Lake Manteno for Polar Plunge 2024. Both teams are award-winners recognized for the record amounts of money raised to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.
Monee Police Department’s Sgt. Teresa Cancialosi said her fellow Plungers raised $11,520 this year, but noted donations may be made through the end of March.
Monee PD’s team included Deputy Chief Anthony Lazzaroni, Sgt. Cancialosi, Officers Matthew Hoekstra, William Little, Spiro Giorgakis, Christopher Rizzo, Kevin Avers, and Christian Schabacker, along with Detective Evie Lazzaroni.
Also on the team were Monee Mayor Therese Bogs, Alison Kiedaisch (LCC Dispatcher), Steve Schabacker (owner of Sheepdog Firearms), Chad Koch, Mason Koch, Logan Andersen (an officer with a different agency and an MPD supporter), and Chenekiquwa McCray-Peterson.
“It was our largest group to date for the Polar Plunge, with 16 of us plunging into Lake Manteno,” Cancialosi said. “The water was frigid, but everyone toughed through and had a blast! The Mayor joined us for the first time to take the Plunge, and she was a real trouper; she dove completely under the water. Mad props to her!
“We had the opportunity to hang out with our friend and Global Messenger for Special Olympics, Nick Lorenz,” she added. “Nick took time to visit with us for a bit, and we were able to get a few photo ops, but being so popular, he had to make his way to visit his other police officer friends, too. Nick has a very special place in the hearts of the Monee Officers. We always look forward to seeing him at various Special Olympics events!”
Monee has participated in the Polar Plunge every year since its inception in 2014, along with other fundraising events that support the Law Enforcement Torch Run and SOI.
“Monee PD has committed to participating in this Special Olympics event, among others, to continue to show our support by raising money and awareness,” Cancialosi said. “We want to help promote unity, understanding, inclusion, and acceptance among people – regardless of ability or disability.”
Chief Scott Koerner applauded his team’s efforts: “Monee PD raised its largest-ever Polar Plunge donation this year and also had the most plungers we have ever had. We are very proud to donate $11,520 to Special Olympics this year. That is more than double of any previous Polar Plunge effort.
“We were very proud to be led by Mayor Bogs, who participated in her first ever Plunge. She already has committed to next year. Great fun for a great cause! Team Monee is proud to be a part of such a great cause.”
Monee Mayor Therese Bogs agreed with Koerner that it was fun.
“Yes, I did my first Polar Plunge,” she grinned. “I was invited by the Monee Police Department to participate, and I eagerly accepted! The Special Olympics is an incredibly worthy cause to support. I had a blast at the plunge, and yes, I would do it again. The fact the weather was so cooperative this year certainly helped my inaugural plunge.”
Next up for Monee PD fundraising is Cop on a Rooftop, on Friday, May 17, from 5 a.m. until noon, at Dunkin’, 5757 W. Monee Manhattan Road in Monee.
Crete Police Chief Scott Pieritz said his team this year has raised $5,870.
“It was our biggest turn out so far, as in addition to those who took the plunge, we had a large group of supporters who came out and tailgated with us,” he noted. “This included friends, family, village trustees, Crete business owners, and more.”
Those who took the plunge included Chief Pieritz, Sgt. Dan Walz, Detective Michael Lucia, Detective Robert Kiser, and Student Resource Officer Al Taylor.
“We also had three non-Crete police officers on our team: Chris Frakes, Avery Taylor, and Michael Rarity, a former Crete Officer who came from Colorado to take plunge with us. We also joined CMHS Special Education Teacher Michelle Calderone’s team, including her family, who plunged in the Chef outfits.
We have been participating in this event for more than 10 years,” he continued. “The water was cold, but not as cold as in years past. The temperature outside was probably the best we have ever had.
“The Crete Police Department prioritizes community policing and participation in these types of events. We work closely with the Crete-Monee Special Olympics programs and participate in several Special Olympic events during the year, including the Polar Plunge, Unified Basketball Game (coming up March 19 at CMHS), the Torch Run, annual BINGO fundraiser, and 5-0 at the Dirty-0 Police Car Race.
“It is important to us to support this great organization that supports these kids.
“We are very proud to have raised more than $15,000 the last two years in a row for Special Olympics,” Chief Pieritz added, “and have our department’s name on the back of the official Torch Run shirt! We have one of these shirts proudly displayed in our police department lobby.”
