WARRENVILLE, Ill. — Durham School Services recently donated its services to Special Olympics Illinois’ annual Polar Plunge event in Lake Bluff.

Durham provided seven buses and had nine employee volunteers to help out at the event, which took place on March 5. The buses were used to transport polar plungers approximately 3 miles from the registration tent to the lake and back. 

The event raises funds for Special Olympics Illinois. Participants seek donations prior to the event, then plunge into the icy waters of the lake on the day of the event. Special Olympics has polar plunges throughout the state; the Lake Bluff event raised $85,512.

“[Durham] not only saved us a lot of money, but made the day incredibly pleasant for the plungers — even when [the] temperature was the coldest we have ever had,” said Sandy Hutchins, area director for Special Olympics Illinois.

“This is a great way for us to be a part of the community we serve,” Durham’s Lake Villa, Ill., General Manager Kim Frost added. “We are proud to be a part of such a great cause and help raise money for a wonderful organization.”

In other news, Durham School Services was recently awarded new contracts for Milwaukee (Wis.) Public Schools and Des Plaines (Ill.) School District 62.

The contractor will operate 130 routes for Milwaukee Public Schools and 24 routes for Des Plaines School District 62. This summer, transition teams from Durham will work to fill needed positions with as many drivers, monitors, mechanics and staff as possible from the previous transportation operation.

“Durham School Services is looking forward to serving Milwaukee Public Schools and Des Plaines School District 62,” said Robert Hatchett, senior vice president of business development. “We are committed to delivering the highest level of safety and service to school officials, students and parents, and are excited to be a part of these two communities for many years to come.”