Lake Shore Central School District
Polar Plunge 2026
Friday, December 4 · Time coming soon
Lake Shore Unified Sports is taking the plunge at Woodlawn Beach State Park for Special Olympics New York. Join the team, cheer from the beach or donate.
Join or Donate to the Lake Shore Team →
Lake Shore,
we need you!
Our students and staff are taking the plunge, and they can't do it alone. Join the team or give today. Every dollar helps Special Olympics New York athletes.
✓ Plunge✓ Fundraise✓ Donate
Join or Donate to the Lake Shore Team →
Opens the Lake Shore team page on the Special Olympics New York site.
Want the full event details? Visit the Buffalo Polar Plunge event website.
The details
When
Fri, Dec 4
Time coming soon
Who
Students + staff
Lake Shore middle and high school
Cost
Free to join
Plungers raise money for Special Olympics New York.
Two schools, one team
A first for Lake Shore
This year, Lake Shore High School and W.G. Houston Middle School are plunging together. It is the first time they have joined as one district team.
5thstraight year for
Lake Shore High School
2ndyear for
W.G. Houston Middle School
Three ways to join
Every role helps the team. Pick the one that fits you.
1
Take the plunge
Sign up on the team page and run into Lake Erie with your classmates and teachers.
2
Fundraise and cheer
Raise money with the team, then cheer on the plungers from the beach.
3
Donate and share
Give on the team page, then share the link or the team flyer with family and friends.
Eat out for the team
Two restaurant nights support Lake Shore Unified Sports. Grab a meal and the team gets a share. Show the flyer on your phone at the counter.
Red Robin
Thursday, October 22 · All day
20% of food sales go to the team
3460 Amelia Dr, Orchard Park, NY 14127
Get directions to Red Robin
How to get credit: Show the flyer or tell your server.
Ordering online?
Start at Red Robin online ordering and pick the Orchard Park restaurant. Add the "Fundraisers (To-Go Only)" item to your bag, then your meal.
Show this flyer
Tap the flyer to open it full size.
Chipotle
Saturday, November 7 · 4:00 to 8:00 PM
25% of eligible sales go to the team
5340 Southwestern Blvd, Suite 100, Hamburg, NY 14075
Get directions to Chipotle
How to get credit: Show the flyer or tell the cashier. The team needs $150 in total sales to get the donation, so bring friends.
Ordering online?
Use code VP49DE7 at checkout. Order pickup from the Hamburg Chipotle between 4:00 and 8:00 PM. Delivery does not count.
Show this flyer
Tap the flyer to open it full size.
Why we plunge
Every dollar funds year-round sports training and competition for Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities. It also supports leadership, health and inclusion programs. Athletes and their families never pay to take part.
How the plunge got started
The first Special Olympics Polar Plunge was held in Wisconsin in 1999. The idea came from police officers who saw a winter plunge in Alaska and turned it into a fundraiser. Today plunges happen across the country, and Buffalo's runs every year at Woodlawn Beach State Park.
1999The first Special Olympics Polar Plunge, in Wisconsin
2022Lake Shore High School takes its first plunge
2026The High School and Middle School plunge together as one district team
$160,000+raised by students from 33+ local schools in last year's Cool School Challenge
$1,000,000the Buffalo Polar Plunge goal for 2026
3,000+plungers across New York in 2025, raising $1.25 million
Last year on the beach
Questions
Who can join the Lake Shore team?
Any Lake Shore middle or high school student can join, and so can Lake Shore staff. Sign up on the Lake Shore team page.
Do I have to go in the water?
No. You can fundraise and cheer from the beach, or donate and share the team page. Every role helps.
How do I donate if I can't make it?
Donate any time on the Lake Shore team page. You can also eat at one of the restaurant nights.
How do the restaurant nights work?
Eat at Red Robin in Orchard Park any time on Thursday, October 22. Or visit Chipotle in Hamburg on Saturday, November 7, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Show the flyer or tell the staff you are there for Lake Shore. For Chipotle online pickup orders, use code VP49DE7.
What should my student bring?
Details are coming soon. We will post the full list here.
How do students get there?
Transportation and permission slip details are coming soon. We will post them here.
Who do I contact with questions?
About the Lake Shore team or school plans: call the main office at Lake Shore High School, 716-926-2301 or W.G. Houston Middle School, 716-926-2400.
About the Polar Plunge event: contact Erica Raepple, Senior Director, Western Region, Special Olympics New York, at 716-909-6444 or eraepple@nyso.org.
Anything else: the Lake Shore Communications Office is always happy to help at communications@lscsd.org or 716-259-5918.
Ready to make a splash?
Join the Lake Shore team
Plunge, cheer or give. Every role helps Lake Shore Unified Sports reach Special Olympics New York athletes.
Join or Donate to the Lake Shore Team →
