Some people might call them a little crazy.

Who, after all, wants to jump into nearly freezing cold water?

Well, the participants in the 2023 Alpena Polar Plunge do.

And they do it for a good cause.

Often dressed in costumes, several people hopped into Long Lake last weekend to raise money for Special Olympics Michigan.

This year, the polar plungers raised $34,000, News staff writer Shannon Vivero reported recently.

MIchigan has had a delegation at the Special Olympics games since the first summer games in 1968, according to the organization’s website and held its own first games at Western Michigan University in 1969.

Today, 23,807 athletes — both children and adults with intellectual disabilities — participate in Special Olympics Michigan, with 24 sports offered and six state-level competitions and more than 700 local and regional competitions statewide.

The organization has 23,216 volunteers and 2,954 active certified coaches, according to its website.

A worthy cause.

We say thank you to everyone who took the plunge. You’ve made a real difference to thousands of kids and adults.