Every winter in Minnesota, hundreds of people willingly run into freezing water. Not because they lost a bet. Not because they enjoy suffering. But because they believe deeply in what’s on the other side of that cold.
For Max Frederiksen, that belief is personal.
This year, Max is once again leading the Abra Kadabra Environmental Services team in the Special Olympics Minnesota Polar Plunge, an annual fundraising event that supports children and young adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.
On January 31, Max and his teammates will step onto frozen ground, follow the arrows, and jump into 32-degree water—then sprint back through sub-zero air toward warmth.
“It’s bad,” Max admits, laughing. “The water is shocking, but the run back to the heated tent is worse. Last year, the air temperature was -10. That part is excruciating.”
And yet, he keeps coming back.
What the Polar Plunge Is Really About
The Polar Plunge raises funds for Special Olympics Minnesota, an organization that provides year-round sports training, competitions, medical screenings, and inclusive community events for individuals with disabilities. The money raised helps send athletes to local and national tournaments, provides them with access to healthcare resources, and—just as importantly—creates spaces where they feel welcome and celebrated.
“Basically,” Max explains, “it gives kids who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to participate in sports or team activities the chance to do exactly that—to win trophies, to belong, and to feel proud of themselves.”
You can learn more about the mission behind the plunge through the official Polar Plunge Minnesota program, which exists entirely to support these athletes and their families.
Max’s “Why”
Max doesn’t talk about his involvement as charity. For him, it’s a connection.
“I’m autistic,” he shares openly. “It’s not something that would qualify me for Special Olympics myself, but that’s the link for me. That’s what motivates me to raise as much money as I can.”
He wasn’t diagnosed until he was 14.
“That meant I spent the first ten years of school without support—without knowing I needed it, without my parents knowing, and without the school knowing,” Max says. “I know how hard it is to make friends. I know how intimidating group settings and sports can be when you don’t feel like you belong.”
That lived experience is what keeps him committed year after year.
“I love the opportunity to impact kids,” he says. “Not just any kids—but kids who don’t always get to experience those things on their own.”
Abra Kadabra’s Team Effort
While Max leads the charge, he’s far from alone. The Abra Kadabra Environmental Services Polar Plunge team currently includes:
- Max Frederiksen, Branch Manager (Mound)
- Robert Leieber, Wildlife Inspector
- Emily Starkman, Customer Service Representative
- Andrew Eickman, Lead Wildlife Inspector
- Jason Huffagel, Pest Team
- Reginald Wilson, Pest Team
And, as Max hints, there’s a good chance more teammates will jump in before plunge day.
Each participant raises individual donations that count toward their personal goal, while also contributing to the team’s overall total. To participate, each jumper must raise a minimum of $75—but Max, as usual, is aiming much higher.
Incentives, Eyebrows, and Questionable Food Choices
To boost donations, Max created an incentive list that blends humor, humility, and a willingness to embarrass himself for a good cause.
“I’m always up for shaving my eyebrows off or ruining my hair,” he says casually, as if this is a normal sentence.
Some of this year’s donation incentives include:
- Letting a donor choose a new nickname that Max must use for an entire week
- Getting his fingernails professionally done at a nail salon
- Taking on his infamous ‘Charpukery Board,’ which involves eating organ meats and bugs, this year with help from teammates eager to introduce him to cultural delicacies
“It has to stay politically correct,” Max adds, “but whoever gets me past that donation threshold gets to pick the name. I’ll correct anyone who calls me Max.”
It’s all part of the fun—but also part of the strategy. Anything to raise more money for kids who need it.
The Jump Itself
Despite the chaos, costumes (from past years), and dares, Max says the plunge itself is something he genuinely looks forward to.
“I actually like the jump,” he says. “It’s revitalizing. It’s a rush. My body feels better for days afterward.”
He pauses, then adds, “It’s pretty exhilarating. I think everybody should do it.”
Adrenaline has always been part of Max’s personality. He skydives when he can. He chases experiences that wake him up.
But the Polar Plunge isn’t just about adrenaline—it’s about purpose.
More Than a Fundraiser
What stands out most in talking with Max isn’t the cold, the dares, or even the jump. It’s the pride.
“I’m proud of what I’ve done so far,” he says. “I don’t always know how to explain it. I just know it matters.”
In a world where kids with disabilities are too often overlooked, underestimated, or excluded, events like the Polar Plunge send a clear message: you matter, and we’re willing to freeze for you.
As Max puts it simply, “It’s a pretty special thing.”
How to Support the Abra Kadabra Polar Plunge Team
Donations can be made to individual team members or to the Abra Kadabra Environmental Services team as a whole. Each contribution helps fund life-changing programs, healthcare access, and unforgettable moments for Special Olympics athletes across Minnesota.
And on January 31, when Max and his teammates run toward that icy water, they won’t be thinking about the cold.
They’ll be thinking about the kids waiting on the other side.
Support the cause. Make your donations here: https://reg.plungemn.org/team/abrakadabraenvironmentalservices