BREWERTON, N.Y. -- It may have been a mild day on land, but the water was still chilly at Oneida Shores Sunday. But that didn't stop hundreds of brave souls from running into the lake.

The sixth annual Central New York Polar Plunge raised money for Special Olympics New York.

Participants we spoke with say the good cause and support from their friends and family helped make the cold water bearable.

"Once we went in there, you didn't even think about it. You just go. I've got my daughter with me, my coworkers, my husband. Brought them all in today," Syracuse resident Deyanira Flores said.

"We just wanted to give back like we always do and have a great time doing it, show our kids what it means to give to a great cause," Munnsville resident Rob Wojsiat said.

Two Special Olympians, Diane Budnar of Cazenovia and Andrew Bowman of Camillus, helped kick everything off with the torch run.