Organizers say the dive into chilly waters at Breezewald Beach in Lake Zurich Saturday was  “the biggest Purple Plunge ever” as money was raised to help families of patients undergoing cancer treatment.

More than 630 participants, or plungers, took a dive into the lake water, raising most of the event’s $250,000 goal.

“What’s special about this year is just the exponential growth that we’ve seen,” said Paul Hunt, of Lake Zurich, who is president of the nonprofit Purple Plunge organization. “The word of mouth is our biggest way that we spread news and information about the plunge.”

He said the event, which bears the same name as the organization, continues to grow each year. This year, approximately 30 to 40 volunteers helped to make the event possible.

“This wouldn’t happen without you guys,” Hunt said about the volunteers.

Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton said the growth of the Purple Plunge says something about Lake Zurich being a community of caring neighbors.

“It tells you that we do a lot of great stuff together,” Poynton said. “The spirit of Lake Zurich is that the community comes together.”

Matt Case, of Lake Zurich, was a plunger who was painted in purple. He said he plunges because of family being diagnosed with cancer.

“The color purple represents all types of cancer,” according to the Purple Plunge website. “Purple has always represented power, and it is the power of community [that] will let those fighting cancer take back their lives and focus on healing.”

Since 2013, the Purple Plunge has assisted cancer-impacted families. The Lake Zurich-based organization helps patients facing unexpected challenges such as income loss and expenses associated with receiving medical care. Doctor visits, gasoline, transportation and meals can adversely reduce family budgeting, officials explain.

When a person receives a cancer diagnosis, they are eligible to apply for funding from the Purple Plunge. The diagnosis is verified with the provider and the charity votes as a board to approve funding, according to organization officials. The Purple Plunge has approved more than 370 Lake Zurich area families for funding, and has awarded more than $740,000 in assistance to the community.

Many families have returned as fundraiser plunger teams, raising thousands more than what was granted to them during their own time of need.

“What’s amazing is, there’s so many families here that we have helped and they’re coming back now and creating teams and raising funds,” Hunt said. “We provide them assistance of up to $2,000, they come back and they raise $8,000 to help more families.”

The Polar Plunge began in memory of Buffalo Grove resident Mary Jo Bordenave who died Feb. 25, 2013  of lung cancer.

Mary Jo’s husband, Barry, who is also the Purple Plunge vice-president, said Saturday morning his wife is “looking down on us today.”

Bordenave said he personally delivers checks to recipient families and spends time with them to understand their stories.

The event included a costume contest. People clapped and cheered when teams competing appeared on the beach. The first place winner was the “Captain Underpants” team in a theme based on the children’s book.

After the plunge, people could spend time in the celebration tent next to Scoreboard Bar & Grill. There were raffles and auction items.

Checking out the silent auction table were Karen Dalton, of Deer Park, and her daughter, Keira Leitz, 15, a Lake Zurich High School freshman.

Keira took the plunge for the first time as part of the girls track team.

Dalton was “very proud” of Keira for jumping into the water for philanthropy.

“This is a great cause and I’m so proud that Keira’s decided to take the plunge today and raise money for cancer,” she said.

As part of a plunging team, Annie Poll, of Mundelein, wore the blue Violet Beauregarde blueberry costume from the 1971 film, “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.”

“It’s a great event, supporting the community,” Poll said. “It’s a great cause.”

Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.