By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
St. Clair College students and local first responders braved icy water and sub-zero temperatures Wednesday as the college kicked off its 12th annual Polar Plunge campaign with a suds‑covered Slip n’ Slide launch party in support of Special Olympics Ontario.
The Jan. 14 event transformed the softball diamond at the St. Clair College Sports Park into a frosty runway, where students lined up to slide across a long plastic sheet coated in soap and frigid water — all to raise funds and awareness ahead of next month’s Windsor‑Essex Polar Plunge.
“From hosting the very first plunge to creating fun previews like today’s Slip n’ Slide, Saints Nation has shown what it means to dive in for a great cause,” said Michael Silvaggi, president of St. Clair College. “This event is not just about icy water — it is about warming hearts. It is about teamwork, leadership, and showing that when we come together, we can make a real difference for athletes who inspire us every day.”
The launch party serves as a lead‑up to the annual Polar Plunge in support of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Since its inception, the Windsor‑Essex event has raised more than $500,000 for Special Olympics Ontario.
Windsor Police Chief Jason Crowley said the plunge remains one of the most meaningful events on his calendar.
“Not only is the annual Polar Plunge an amazing opportunity for me to take an icy winter dip, but it is an event where community members, students, sports teams and first responders get together and do something fun that also supports a great cause,” Crowley said.
This year’s Slip n’ Slide featured participants from Windsor Police Service, OPP, LaSalle Police Service, Essex‑Windsor EMS, Windsor Fire and Rescue, college staff and administration, the Student Representative Council, Saints Student Athletics Association, alumni, and various Saints teams and clubs.
Ahead of the sliding festivities, St. Clair College Alumni, the SRC and the SSAA presented cheques totalling $13,500 toward this year’s fundraising goal. Alumni representative Adam Ibrahim contributed $10,000 on behalf of the alumni association.
“With this funding, these Special Olympics athletes don’t just get to compete — they build confidence and camaraderie, which will stick with them for the rest of their lives,” Ibrahim said.
The SRC and SSAA jointly contributed an additional $3,500.
“Athletics is something that brings people from all walks of life together and for that reason, we’re glad to keep this tradition of giving alive,” said SSAA president George Karatzias.
“We at the SRC always love to participate in the Slip n’ Slide and Polar Plunge,” added SRC president Pratham Singh Benipal. “We are looking forward to the main event in February where student volunteers and SRC leadership will be out in full force to help make the event a huge success.”
Organizers also thanked the Protection, Security & Investigation/Police Foundations Society for supplying dozens of volunteers.
The 12th annual Windsor‑Essex Polar Plunge will take place Feb. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre.
Registration is available at https://tinyurl.com/ymn6633k.
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