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'Alderbears' Raise $5,489 for Special Olympics Chicago at Polar Plunge

 Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) was among nine Chicago alderman who dove into the icy waters of Lake Michigan as part of Special Olympics Chicago's Polar Plunge. The event Sunday featured the aldermanic team known as the Alderbears.
Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) was among nine Chicago alderman who dove into the icy waters of Lake Michigan as part of Special Olympics Chicago's Polar Plunge. The event Sunday featured the aldermanic team known as the Alderbears.
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Special Olympics Chicago/Tim Bimmerle

BEVERLY — Calling themselves the Alderbears, nine Chicago aldermen jumped into Lake Michigan, raising $5,489 as of Monday afternoon for Special Olympics Chicago.

Thus, the aldermanic team up at the annual Polar Plunge exceeded their goal of $2,500.

They were among some 6,000 people who voluntarily submerged themselves Sunday morning into the icy waters near North Avenue Beach. The event raised $1.4 million and people can donate until the end of March here.

Organizers are hoping to reach their goal of $1.5 million, which is used to pay for medals, sports equipment, transportation and more. Several celebrities also showed up to take the plunge including musician Lady Gaga, "Chicago Fire" star Taylor Kinney and TV personalities Al Roker, Tamron Hall and Dylan Dreyer.

 The Polar Plunge team known as the Alderbears included Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd), Ald. Patrick Thompson (11th), Ald. Matthew O’Shea (19th), Ald. Howard Brookins (21st), Ald. Michael Scott, Jr. (24th), Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30th) Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st), Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) and Ald. Harry Osterman (48th).
The Polar Plunge team known as the Alderbears included Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd), Ald. Patrick Thompson (11th), Ald. Matthew O’Shea (19th), Ald. Howard Brookins (21st), Ald. Michael Scott, Jr. (24th), Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30th) Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st), Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) and Ald. Harry Osterman (48th).
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DNAinfo/Supplied Photo

As for the Alderbears, the top fundraiser among the group was Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) with $1,200 raised.

Others on the team included organizers Ald. Patrick D. Thompson (11th) and Ald. Matthew O’Shea (19th) along with Ald. Howard Brookins (21st), Ald. Michael Scott, Jr. (24th), Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30th), Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st), Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) and Ald. Harry Osterman (48th).

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