It may be February, but that won’t stop a few dozen brave individuals from testing the waters of Dow Lake this Saturday for charity.

Strouds Run State Park will be hosting the first Ohio University Polar Bear Plunge: Freezin’ For a Reason 2008 to benefit the Special Olympics of Ohio. Registration begins at Strouds Run State Park at 11:30 a.m. with a costume contest at 1:15 p.m. and the plunge at 1:30 p.m., according to the event Web site .

The Ohio University Police Department, Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, Delta Zeta sorority and women’s soccer team are competing before the plunge to raise the most money. Both OUPD and PKT set goals of $3,000 each, the soccer team is aiming for $400 and Delta Zeta’s goal is $300, according to the Web site.

The Special Olympics of Ohio will be receiving all donations from the event, said OUPD Lt. Steve Noftz. More than $3,900 has been raised thus far, according to the Web site.

Thirty people have committed thus far for the quick swim, including Noftz, Sgt. John Stabler and Officers Jason Schoonover and Kevin Frith, said Jeff Madachy, event coordinator and PKT vice president.

Madachy had pushed to bring the event to Athens because of its success near his home in Cleveland on Lake Erie. Roughly $6,000 to $9,000 would be a positive total to reach in the first year, he said.

“We’d love for people to jump on, they can show up that day,” Noftz said.

Costumes are encouraged, and at least two individuals meeting personal pledge totals plan to wear very little. Noftz will opt for short-shorts like Lt. Jim Dangle of Reno 911! if he reaches $500, of which he is still $120 short, he said. Sgt. John Stabler will don a Speedo if he raises another $105 and reaches $1,000, Noftz said.

Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Services will be on site as a precaution during the event as well, he said. If the water is frozen, participants will take the plunge as soon as the ice is broken, Noftz said.

Saturday’s forecast is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of 37 degrees and a low of 27, according to www.scalialab.com.

–Ryan Dunn