SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The South Bend Cubs will host the fifth annual Polar Plunge March 21, and though it’ll look a bit different in a pandemic, the reasoning behind it remains the same.

This year, the Polar Plunge will implement a schedule with multiple times set over a two-hour-period so participants can safely take the plunge.

Spectators will also be limited to only guardians in attendance but those who can’t attend can watch on the South Bend Cubs Facebook page.

The Polar Plunge is an annual fundraising event for the Special Olympics around the United States. The South Bend Plunge will specifically benefit Special Olympics Indiana, a non-profit organization with the goal of empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Funds raised will benefit more than 18,000 Special Olympic athletes across the state.

The South Bend plunge has raised almost $80,000 in the last four years.

Those who want to participate without attending an in-person event in the state can use the new Virtual Plunger program found here.

To participate in this year’s plunge, individuals or groups must raise at least $75 in pledges.

Community members can register as an individual or as a group here.