Hundreds of people participated in a polar plunge and 5k Strut at Lake Olathe, Saturday, Feb. 18.

The non-profit orga-nization uses the money raised to support year round sports training and competition for the 4,500 Kansas athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Carolyn Long, news reporter, and KCTV5 news crew co-hosted the event. Olathe firefighters assisted.

This year’s theme was “Rock-n-Plunge” and participants dressed up in their best rock music attire.

Even though Saturday was experiencing warmer weather that reached almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the icy, water temperatures were barely 30 degrees.

Participants said the pain of the cold water was quick and worth the cause.

Caelia Hissong and Jen Gilman, paraeducators from Olathe East High School in Olathe, participated on the Hills Hawks team for the first year and were excited to support a good cause.

Hissong and Gilman said they dressed up as members of the band KISS because they were the most popular and iconic rock band with “the best makeup.”

“We are not worried about our makeup coming off,” Hissong said.