LAKEVILLE — Lakeville Police are taking the plunge into a new fund-raiser that involves bracing cold water and warm, generous hearts.

The Polar Plunge, which benefits Special Olympics, comes to the shores of Clear Pond for the first time, supported by the Lakeville Police Department. 

During the March 11 event, hardy souls will leave the comfort of shore and jump into Clear Pond. This is no typical day at the beach: the calendar may be moving toward spring, but water temperatures remain biting.

. “The trick is to just sprint’’ into the pond and go under water quickly, said Lakeville Police Sgt. Erik McNeice. “It’s a few minutes of suffering for a good cause.’’

Participants raise money by seeking out sponsorships for their plunges. Raising $10,000 to $15,000 would make this an “incredible first-year polar plunge,’’  said Stephanie Esposito, AVP of Development for Special Olympics Massachusetts.

Police departments such as Lakeville provide “the greatest grassroots partnership’’ with Special Olympics,  Esposito said. 

The debut of the in-person event in Lakeville has been delayed by three years, she said. The original plan was to host the plunge in March 2020. 

But the world had other ideas. The pandemic put the in-person plunges on hold, although virtual events, with people jumping into snow banks in their yards, taking cold showers or otherwise participating in “creative, do-it-yourself’’ ways, served as substitutes. 

The return of the in-person event means that individuals and teams, sometimes reflecting  themes and wearing costumes, will stand at the shoreline waiting for their chance to make a splash.

Post-plunge festivities include food, music and awards for top fundraisers and costumes. Warming areas and hot chocolate will also be provided, and police dive teams will be on hand for security. 

Those who raise $100 or more will receive a Polar Plunge shirt. 

Participants should brace for the cold, Esposito said, but keep in mind that the plunge can be very brief.

“You don’t have to dunk,’’ she said. “We let people decide what a plunge is to them. If half your body gets wet, I call that a plunge.’’

But McNeice, in addition to helping organize the event, is all in with participation.

“I feel obligated to go under,’’ he said with a laugh.

Check-in is at 9 a.m. with the plunge itself scheduled for 11 a.m. To sign up or for more information, visit PolarPlungeMA.org.