Chicago 2015 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics, 4500 participants including Vince Vaughn, Lady Gaga and fiance Taylor Kinney

article by Jim Watkins, Ability Chicago Info

Vince Vaughn and Special Olympics Chicago President Casey Hogan take part in the Chicago Polar Plunge at North Avenue Beach on Sunday, March 1, 2015 in Chicago. Image: Barry Brecheisen/Invision/Associated Press

Chicago -- Special Olympics Illinois 2015 was a splash, as ice cycles formed on the wonderful participants, which included actor Vince Vaughn, musician Lady Gaga with her fiance actor Taylor Kinney. An estimated 4,500 people took the icy plunge — despite the 32 degree Fahrenheit water temperature — to support the Special Olympics.

Actor and Chicagoan Vince Vaughn enjoyed the freezing waters of Lake Michigan, the video showed

Chicago's Polar Plunge raised more than $1 million dollars this year for Special Olympics Illinois, which provides year-round activities to around 5,000 individuals with special needs.

Image: Barry Brecheisen/Invision/Associated Press

Lady Gaga's appearance was a surprise for event organizers, who didn't know that she would be attending until shortly before the plunge began.

"She's pure heart," Casey Hogan, president of Special Olympics Chicago said to the Chicago Tribune about Lady Gaga "She came out for the cause — low-key, no press. It doesn't get any better than that."

Image: Barry Brecheisen/Invision/Associated Press