- Page 1
- Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4 - Page 5 - Page 6 - Page 7 - Page 8 - Page 9 - Page 10 - Page 11 - Page 12 - Page 13 - Page 14 - Page 15 - Page 16 - Page 17 - Page 18 - Page 19 - Page 20 - Page 21 - Page 22 - Page 23 - Page 24 - Page 25 - Page 26 - Page 27 - Page 28 - Page 29 - Page 30 - Page 31 - Page 32 - Page 33 - Page 34 - Page 35 - Page 36 - Page 37 - Page 38 - Page 39 - Page 40 - Page 41 - Page 42 - Page 43 - Page 44 - Page 45 - Page 46 - Page 47 - Page 48 - Page 49 - Page 50 - Page 51 - Page 52 - Page 53 - Page 54 - Page 55 - Page 56 - Flash version © UniFlip.com |
Page 20
The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch
January 3, 2014
Annual PenguinSwimBrings In $83K For Hospital
By JOANNE SHRINER
STAFF WRITER
OCEAN CITY – Although fundraising totals are preliminary, the 20th Annual Penguin Swim, held on New Year’s Day in Ocean City, appears to have surpassed its previous record in support of Atlantic General Hospital. The event took place on Wednesday with 750 participants diving into the Atlantic Ocean with the water temperature being in the low 40s, as thousands of spectators turned out to watch the event on a sunny and mild day. As of Thursday the event raised about $83,000 for Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) and donations continue to come in. “We felt that it went very well this year. We had great participation and we really appreciate the community coming out to support the hospital in our 20th Annual Penguin Swim,” said AGH Director of Development Donna Pellinger, who gave special thanks to event Co-Chairs Sal Fasano and Madalaine How. The top individual fundraisers this year were Craig Kettler of Leesburg, Va., raising $4,509; Butch “Woody” German of Baltimore, Md., $1,480; and Ivan Zorn of Berlin, $280. The top teams in the Business Category were Bull on the Beach, which again amazed AGH officials by raising $30,000. AGH Flapping Flamingos raised $2,254 and Fisher’s Popcorn raised $1,200. The top teams in the Community Groups Category were Ocean City Ravens Roost #44, which raised $9,500; the Parke Penguins raising $6,200; and Eastern Shore Police Emerald Society/OC FOOLS raising $935. The top individual fundraisers in the 18-and-Under Division were Benjamin Kettler of Leesburg, Va., who raised $500; Emily DeHart of Cherry Hill, N.J., $175; and Danny Thibodeau of Davidsonville, Md., raising $150. The top teams in the 18-and-Under Divisions were Stephen Decatur High School, which raised $620; Team Madstin raising $245; and Team Aidan Kypress raising $150. Prizes were also awarded for the youngest and oldest swimmers who
About 750 people took a freezing plunge into the Atlantic Ocean on New Year’s Day for the 20th Annual Penguin Swim. Photos by Chris Parypa
were a 10-month-old penguin, Macklin Bitler, and an 80-year-old penguin, Papa Joe Gaffney. The costume contest winners for Best Overall were John, Casey, Caroline and Ava Rolfes of Baltimore, Md. Most Spirited went to Dave Kelley of Alexandria, Va.; Most Creative went to Linda Hopkins of Ocean Ci-
ty; and Best Little Penguin was Gigi Gijanto of Delmar, Del. Since its inception, the Penguin Swim has raised nearly $1 million for AGH. Last year, there was just over $80,000 raised. Proceeds from the event, gathered through corporate sponsorships and participant fundraising,
support the strategic plans undertaken by Atlantic General Hospital to uphold its mission to improve individual and community health. AGH is a 501(c) 3 organization that was founded in May 1993 and its health network now consists of more than 25 primary care provider and specialist offices.
The Bull on the Beach team raised $30,000 for AGH during the Penguin Swim. Above, AGH CEO Michael Franklin presents the first-place team trophy to owner Phil Houck. Above right, ice sculptor Earl Cantine works on his bench that provided a photo opportunity for those attending the event.
|