As the countdown began, some people were cheering and anticipating running into the frigid, 46-degree Lake Sammamish waters.

Others seemed to be dreading the task and backed up a bit from the shore as if they were about to change their minds.

But when it was go time, everyone went for it at last Saturday’s 10th annual Redmond Police Department (RPD) Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics Washington.

About 100 people, from adults to children to Special Olympics athletes, participated in the fundraiser, which commenced at Idylwood Park in Redmond. At plunge time, $22,000 had been raised, with contributions still being accepted through April 15 at http://tinyurl.com/glqe25y. Last year, plungers and supporters raised $20,000.

With his shirt off and shivering after the plunge, Casey Gilbert said: “Running in was pretty fun, and (I was) a little nervous there was going to be rocks. It was pretty cold, (I) got up and I realized everybody else was kind of splashing around.”

But once was not enough, and Gilbert and a few of his Aerotek teammates re-entered the water for another splash and a group photo. About 15 employees from the Bellevue company completed the plunge and helped raise money for Special Olympics.

Gilbert is originally from Wisconsin and laughed while saying that he’s “used to the cold, not used to the water.”

Ryan Kelley plunged with his daughter, Ava, and son, Jackson, along with coworkers for Seattle’s DocuSign.

Ava noted that “It was really cold when I was running in,” and added with a smile that her lobster hat fell off and she was nearly knocked over by someone wearing an animal costume during the event. (She couldn’t recall if it was a penguin, cow, bulldog or pig.)

“I had never done a polar plunge before,” Ryan said. “I’m glad I don’t live in Minnesota because that would be a true polar plunge, but this is still cold when you get in there. It’s a lot of fun.”

Ryan said that Special Olympics is an organization that he believes in and encouraged DocuSign officials to participate in the fundraiser.

“I definitely raised my hand to jump in, and I’m surprised these two raised their hand to jump in with me,” Ryan said of his children. He noted that it was a bonding experience between family members and coworkers.

RPD Chief Ron Gibson, who was among the plungers, noted that the event is just one connection he and his officers have with Special Olympics. There’s also tip a cop in conjunction with Red Robin, the Special Olympics Games Torch Run and officers play softball and soccer with the athletes.

“It’s important to note that it’s a national partnership between Special Olympics and law enforcement,” said Gibson. “It’s great to have the community support and the officers coming out and supporting the athletes. It’s a good chance to support a great cause.”

On a personal note, Gibson said his brother is “other-abled” and the chief remembers as a kid watching his sibling participate in Special Olympics activities.

“That’s why it’s always close to me, supporting Special Olympics in any way that we can. I’m just proud to do it on behalf of all the athletes,” Gibson said.

As Dave Lenox, CEO for Special Olympics Washington, watched the participants gather about 45 minutes prior to the event, he was awash with excitement.

“It’s just all walks of life coming together, saying ‘Yeah,’ and they wouldn’t probably have met any other way,” he said.

There’s plenty of fun in the air — and in the water — and it’s a different kind of Special Olympics event, Lenox said.

“That’s kind of who we are as movement: we’re a little bit edgy,” he said. “Our athletes are hysterical — they like to take a risk every now and then.”