GREENFIELD — Greenfield High School students raised more than $10,500 for Special Olympics Massachusetts as part of the first mobile polar plunge in western Massachusetts.

In a fundraising event led by Greenfield High School Student Council, more than 227 individuals and 23 teams will plunge into a 2,800-gallon trailer called “Bear-Force One” filled with cold water Thursday from 1:30 p.m. until dismissal for students and faculty, and from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. for the general public.

Student Council Advisor Angela Mass said although the school only needed to raise $2,500 for the Special Olympics to consider coming to Greenfield, she believed that goal was “too low.”

“We opened up with a goal of $5,000. Once we hit $5,000, the website automatically knocked it up to $7,000. When we hit $7,000, it knocked it up to $9,000. We are currently sitting at $10,558,” Mass said in an interview Tuesday. “I have asked for only $25 per plunger. Some people have donated more than that — some people maybe did $30, some did $50, some did $100.”

This polar plunge is coordinated through the Special Olympics’ Massachusetts branch and is part of its campaign to raise money for its programs, which are based on inclusion for students with learning disabilities.

Mass said she did not wish to turn away students who wished to plunge but did not feel comfortable donating $25, so she helped find sponsors for those who considered the price a hardship. She said Greenfield High School’s top student donor sold crocheted goods at craft fairs and donated roughly $800 from the profits of her crochet work.

“This is such an exciting event and they have exceeded our funding expectations significantly,” Superintendent Karin Patenaude said. “I’m proud of our kiddos and grateful to everyone who donated or fundraised.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.