What a difference a year makes.

With light snow and mostly sunny skies, dozen of jumpers braved the frigid temperatures of Pleasant Lake to take part in the fourth annual Polar Plunge to raise money for Michigan Special Olympics.

The event raised $8,500 event organizers announced Sunday, which is more than double the amount raised in 2013 ($4,200).

In four years, the Polar Plunge has raised nearly $30,000.

In its first year, 17 “plungers” participated in the event and raised $6,000. The second year drew 39 jumpers, while in 2013 poor weather conditions cut the number of jumpers down to 24.

Ice was a bit of an issue last year as warm winter temperatures didn’t allow for jumpers to walk out to the 16-by-16 foot hole in the ice cut by the Edwardsburg Fire Department.

No problem this year.

With temperatures below the freezing mark for the entire month of January and two blasts of sub-zero temps, the ice was more than thick enough for the jumpers to walk to the hole and take the plunge.

The Edwardsburg Fire Department and ambulance crews are always on hand as is the Cass County Sheriff’s office dive crew to help out with any emergency situation.

The day started out with a parade of customs and ended with the post-plunge party.