Mike McLaughlin posing with a trophy he received from a basketball competition.

By Anna Hughes | Photos courtesy of Special Olympics Illinois

Mike McLaughlin is a multi-sport athlete. In 35 years with Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL), he’s participated in volleyball, basketball, softball, bocce ball, and bowling. His sister, Kathy McLaughlin, is his biggest supporter, on the sidelines, cheering him on whenever her schedule allows. It’s been a bonding opportunity for the siblings in a number of ways.

Kathy worked for SOILL for many years, retiring in 2021. During her time there, she worked in development, fundraising, grant writing, and more, getting a closer look into the organization that has given so much to her family. But despite all her work behind the scenes, there’s no better example of a Special Olympics success story than her own brother.

“My family and I are so grateful for the work that Special Olympics does. The leadership, the great employees, for everything that they make happen, but then also the volunteers,” Kathy said. “I would see this when I was working, but as you would expect, I see it daily with Mike.”

Both Kathy and Mike credit SOILL for years of happiness and growth in the athlete’s life. Mike is first-hand proof that SOILL’s mission is being actively lived out each and every day.

“It is his world. It is friends. He’s had a girlfriend for a long time, and [she] used to participate in Special Olympics. [It’s helped] his confidence level, his maturity, his health,” Kathy said. “It’s just really given Mike an increased sense of accomplishment. I can’t imagine what his life would be like if he didn’t have all of these years of participation with Special Olympics.”

One of the duo’s favorite SOILL traditions is the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge in Oak Brook. While Kathy, as usual, cheers Mike on from the sidelines, Mike bravely takes the plunge alongside hundreds of other Special Olympics athletes and local participants.

In the midst of brisk winter weather, these volunteers change out of their warm clothes and into their plunge outfits before jumping into the lake behind Oak Brook Bath and Tennis Club. Some people choose to wear a swimsuit, but other teams opt for fun costumes to add to the experience. Mike doesn’t spend too much time thinking about the cold water before the plunge—instead, he focuses on the camaraderie of doing it with hundreds of other people there to support him and others who benefit from this great organization.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Mike said. “I mean, once you get out, really, it’s invigorating, but people really enjoy it. I mean, it really makes it feel good.”

Mike looks forward to this event every year. He also looks forward to the coveted hoodie that all plungers receive after the event. Mike has a collection of hoodies he’s very proud of.

“If you raise money, you get a really nice hoodie. They have a hoodie every year, and then every year, it’s a different color, which is really nice. The hoodies are really nice and warm,” Mike said.

The hoodie is definitely a perk (Mike said non-plunging volunteers get a nice T-shirt as well) for all the participants there raising money for a good cause. Although it’s free to sign up, participants must raise $100 to take the plunge and receive their sweatshirt. But many groups go above and beyond that requirement.

Last year’s top donor team, the Paver Posse Plungers, raised over $49,000 for SOILL. The team, made up of individuals from C.R. Schmidt, has been taking the plunge for 10 years. President Olivia Lockett said this event is her favorite day of the year.

“The Polar Plunge is important to our team because inclusion is to be celebrated and supported at all times. Inclusion brings out the very best that life has to offer for so many people deemed different by providing them equal opportunities to experience the world as the majority does,” Lockett said. “This is a fundamental right to being a human in the world that needs to continue to be championed and integrated into every part of everyday life.”

Through fundraising efforts through traditional methods (email blasts, social media, etc.) and also with a donation incentive program with different prizes, the Paver Posse Plungers hope to break a new personal record of $50,000 raised with 50 plungers participating.

The efforts of teams like these do not go unnoticed; athletes like Mike are thrilled to see the outpouring of support from the community.

“It makes me feel, you know, really good to get all these people that come out and support Special Olympics. I mean, that’s a great cause,” Mike said. “I’m always happy when a lot of people show up. [It seems like it makes] Special Olympics bigger and bigger, which is really good, too.”

The Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Illinois will take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025. For more information or to sign up, visit Support.SOILL.org.

Although it’s free to sign up, participants must raise $100 to take the plunge and receive their sweatshirt. The event is all about camaraderie and fun for all who participate.