9th Annual Polar Bear Plunge
January 2009 Polar Bear Plunge
Through the creative efforts, hard work, and unparalleled dedication of its founders and organizers, Mike Wolf of WRJO Radio, George and Lois Rudiger, former owners of the St. Germain Lodge, as well as the new owners of Fibber’s Bar and Lodge, Kaye and Rob Manthei of St. Germain, and their team of “we couldn’t do it without them” volunteers, The 9th Annual Northwood’s Original Polar Bear Plunge, raised a “shivering” amount of over $29,000 to greatly benefit Camp Angel/Camp Teen Angel and other programs of Angel On My Shoulder.
BRAVO to the 144 “Dare to Care” plungers, many in fun and creative theme costumes, who made a tremendous splash to support those living with or affected by cancer. The cheering section filled with hundreds of spectators provided the hype and encouragement that added to the excitement of this awesome event.
This frosty fundraiser has raised just over $183,000 for Angel On My Shoulder and 948 plungers have contributed to its overwhelming success over these past nine years.
Hurrah and Halleluiah to our two veteran “plungers”, Dick Lemke and Moses Huizinga for their ninth year of plunging. They both received a very well deserved Guardian Angel award for their outstanding fund raising efforts over the years.
A big round of applause to Moses for collecting the highest pledge total this year with pledges totaling $2,048 and to the Schoeneck Family for gathering pledges of $1,285 in loving memory of their perfect little Angel, Jadelynn Schoeneck.
For the second consecutive year, Mike Wolf and Amy Linnett both disc jockeys on WRJO Radio, co-hosted a 30-hour “Pledge-A-Thon” on their station. This dynamic duo stayed on the air 30 hours and raised a whopping $5,750 in pledges to enhance the proceeds of the Plunge.
Adorable stuffed Polar Bears were up for adoption on the “Thon” to folks pledging a donation during the program. They were generously donated by the Kohl’s Cares For Kids Program. Each of these white plush polar bears donned a commemorative medal donated by Doctors Foster and Smith.
There were two new additions to the Plunge this year. The access ramp and elevated platform for the plungers provided by Pier d’North Corporation and a Plunge Putt challenge presented by WRJO and Trademark Graphics of Racine.
Our deepest gratitude to the sponsors of this unique fundraiser: Fibber’s Restaurant, WRJOldies 94.5fm, Kohl’s, Doctors Foster & Smith, Trademark Graphics, White Pine Printing, Lakeland Times, Sam’s Rental, Radio Shack of Eagle River, St. Germain Lodge & Resort, Diverse Design Group, The Pool People, Timber Bay of Woodruff, Northshore Dirtworks, and Pier of D’Nort Corporation along with an uplifting boost from local media… Lakeland Times, Vilas County News Review.
A huge thank you to the safety support group: the Town of St. Germain; the Vilas County Sheriff’s Department; the stand-by ambulance provided by the Plum Lake Ambulance Crew, and the Lions Club volunteers directing traffic. We gratefully acknowledge Bill Nichols of Timber Bay Sport & Dive who was on site to assist the plungers safely in and out of the water and the ice cutting crew led by George Schroeder of Northshore Dirtworks.
You can revisit the 9th Annual Polar Plunge by checking out the gallery on this website or visiting www.wrjo.com
We invite you to join us for the Tenth Annual “Northwood’s Original” Polar Bear Plunge scheduled for Saturday, January 9, 2010. The “plunge” is set to begin at High Noon. If you are interested in volunteering, plunging, spectating, donating, or becoming a sponsor, please contact us by using the information listed at the end of this newsletter.
