Approximately 1,035 participants ran into the warmer-than-usual 52-degree Atlantic Ocean on New Year’s Day during the 22nd annual Penguin Swim, a fundraiser for Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, recording the largest crowd to date.
“It was a great day all around,” AGH Event Coordinator Alli Justice said. “We were fortunate to have superb weather for Jan. 1 and the crowd was record breaking.”
Swimmers gathered on the beach behind the Princess Royale hotel on 91st Street before taking their dip.
At 1 p.m., the “penguins” dashed into the ocean, which was a bit warmer than the 45-degree air temperature.
Participants came out dressed as penguins, minions, mermaids, pirates, Vikings, superheroes, bananas and even the “Goonies” crew.
“The participants this year went above and beyond with their costumes,” Justice said. “Many teams dressed up together in themes. Bull on the Beach, for instance, paraded down the beach dressed as characters from Noah’s Ark. They were even carrying a boat.”
An awards ceremony followed the swim inside the Princess Royale atrium. Awards were presented to the youngest and oldest swimmers, as well as to the top team and individual money-raisers.
The youngest penguin was 3-month-old Vincent Fasano of Ocean City, and Joe Gaffney, 82, of Selbyville, Del. was the oldest participant for the third year in a row.
Craig Kettler of Leesburg, Va., raised $3,510 and was named the top adult individual fund raiser for several consecutive years. He has participated in the swim for eight years. Woody “Butch” German of Baltimore, a 12-year swim participant, collected $1,837 in donations, landing him in second place. Gary Miller of Berlin raised $1,150, which earned him third-place for individual top fund raisers.
In the community group team category, first place went to Ocean City Ravens Roost No. 44 for donating $12,350. In second place was the Parke Penguins (Ocean Pines), who collected $4,550. The Jamboys out of Baltimore raised $2,160 and were awarded the third-place trophy.
The Bull on the Beach team, which included more than 200 swimmers, was the top business team again this year, donating $28,000. During the 22-year history of the event, the Bull on the Beach team has generated more than $400,000 for AGH. The Poppin’ Penguins collected $4,000 and Fisher’s Popcorn garnered $1,000 to round out the top three businesses.
“It’s truly impeccable the amount of money Phil Houck and his 200-plus team members are able to raise year after year,” Justice said. “They are the definition of dedicated when it comes to this event in particular.”
“We have participated from the beginning and know how important it is to this town,” said Phil Houck, owner of Bull on the Beach. “We had a great year, raised a lot of money and look forward to next year.”
Awards were also presented to teams and individuals 18 and younger who collected the most donations. Ben Kettler, Craig’s 16-year-old son, was the top youth fund raiser for the third year, donating $525. Second and third place finishers, Liliana, 18, and Nicholas Franklin, 13, from Berlin pledged $500 each.
The top team fund raisers in the 18-and-Under Division was Stephen Decatur High School raising $705. Team Two Beach Cuties pledged $265 and Team Ty finished out the top three, collecting $240.
In 22 years, the Penguin Swim has raised more than $1 million for AGH. The goal for the 22nd annual swim was $75,075. As of press time, the 2016 Penguin Swim generated well over the goal with $104,000 raised for AGH, and the number is expected to increase because organizers are still counting and taking donations, Justice said.
“This was the largest crowd I’ve ever seen for the Penguin Swim,” said Michael Franklin, president of AGH. “It’s a great event to bring our community and visitors together to have a lot of fun doing something a little crazy, and at the same time help one of the most important assets in our community.”
The hospital has been providing health care to residents of Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties as well as Sussex County, Del., since May 1993.
For more information about Atlantic General Hospital, visit www.atlanticgeneral.org.
“It was a great day all around,” AGH Event Coordinator Alli Justice said. “We were fortunate to have superb weather for Jan. 1 and the crowd was record breaking.”
Swimmers gathered on the beach behind the Princess Royale hotel on 91st Street before taking their dip.
At 1 p.m., the “penguins” dashed into the ocean, which was a bit warmer than the 45-degree air temperature.
Participants came out dressed as penguins, minions, mermaids, pirates, Vikings, superheroes, bananas and even the “Goonies” crew.
“The participants this year went above and beyond with their costumes,” Justice said. “Many teams dressed up together in themes. Bull on the Beach, for instance, paraded down the beach dressed as characters from Noah’s Ark. They were even carrying a boat.”
An awards ceremony followed the swim inside the Princess Royale atrium. Awards were presented to the youngest and oldest swimmers, as well as to the top team and individual money-raisers.
The youngest penguin was 3-month-old Vincent Fasano of Ocean City, and Joe Gaffney, 82, of Selbyville, Del. was the oldest participant for the third year in a row.
Craig Kettler of Leesburg, Va., raised $3,510 and was named the top adult individual fund raiser for several consecutive years. He has participated in the swim for eight years. Woody “Butch” German of Baltimore, a 12-year swim participant, collected $1,837 in donations, landing him in second place. Gary Miller of Berlin raised $1,150, which earned him third-place for individual top fund raisers.
In the community group team category, first place went to Ocean City Ravens Roost No. 44 for donating $12,350. In second place was the Parke Penguins (Ocean Pines), who collected $4,550. The Jamboys out of Baltimore raised $2,160 and were awarded the third-place trophy.
The Bull on the Beach team, which included more than 200 swimmers, was the top business team again this year, donating $28,000. During the 22-year history of the event, the Bull on the Beach team has generated more than $400,000 for AGH. The Poppin’ Penguins collected $4,000 and Fisher’s Popcorn garnered $1,000 to round out the top three businesses.
“It’s truly impeccable the amount of money Phil Houck and his 200-plus team members are able to raise year after year,” Justice said. “They are the definition of dedicated when it comes to this event in particular.”
“We have participated from the beginning and know how important it is to this town,” said Phil Houck, owner of Bull on the Beach. “We had a great year, raised a lot of money and look forward to next year.”
Awards were also presented to teams and individuals 18 and younger who collected the most donations. Ben Kettler, Craig’s 16-year-old son, was the top youth fund raiser for the third year, donating $525. Second and third place finishers, Liliana, 18, and Nicholas Franklin, 13, from Berlin pledged $500 each.
The top team fund raisers in the 18-and-Under Division was Stephen Decatur High School raising $705. Team Two Beach Cuties pledged $265 and Team Ty finished out the top three, collecting $240.
In 22 years, the Penguin Swim has raised more than $1 million for AGH. The goal for the 22nd annual swim was $75,075. As of press time, the 2016 Penguin Swim generated well over the goal with $104,000 raised for AGH, and the number is expected to increase because organizers are still counting and taking donations, Justice said.
“This was the largest crowd I’ve ever seen for the Penguin Swim,” said Michael Franklin, president of AGH. “It’s a great event to bring our community and visitors together to have a lot of fun doing something a little crazy, and at the same time help one of the most important assets in our community.”
The hospital has been providing health care to residents of Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties as well as Sussex County, Del., since May 1993.
For more information about Atlantic General Hospital, visit www.atlanticgeneral.org.