THE ISSUE: Bitter cold didn't dampen Penguin Plunge
OUR VIEW: Record-setting participation at annual event
Twenty-six degrees.
That was the air and water temperature at Heritage Harbor in Ottawa Saturday.
While most people in the area were layering up with warm clothing, hundreds were stripping down to their bathing suits or shorts at the marina.
And then they did the unthinkable ... they jumped in that 26-degree Illinois River.
Are your lips blue yet?
Luckily, there was a purpose to that madness — to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
And it appears this year's Penguin Plunge, which was started in 2012, broke some records.
Almost 500 people participated in the icy plunge, including 39 adult teams and 20 children who joined as Puddle Plungers.
As of this weekend, $145,311 and counting was raised through the event. (The Top Team Award once again went to the Streator Peters for raising more than $18,000). Last year, the Penguin Plunge took in 269 jumpers and the event raised $101,565.
The event continues to gain traction through publicity and word-of-mouth, as well as the addition of contests and other activities surrounding the Penguin Plunge.
For example, a pre-event fundraiser was started this year to help support the cause that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
The fundraiser, dubbed the Penguin March, entailed 12 local bars charged with filling a provided toy penguin with donations.
Top Icy Bar Challenge awards went to Row House, Zeller Inn and Tangled Roots.
And for the kiddies, the event added Puddle Plungers for children 12 and younger, who waded into an above-ground pool 30 inches high and 15 feet across.
It's events such as these that really bring out the generosity of Starved Rock Country residents. Take the Relay for Life in La Salle County, for example. Year after year participants take part in the overnight event in Streator, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Both the Penguin Plunge and Relay are wonderful causes, and volunteer organizers for such fundraisers/events deserve a pat on the back for not only their hard work and dedication, but creativity in organizing such events and helping grow participation.
Penguin Plunge Co-Coordinator Linda Johnson was thrilled with Saturday's turnout.
"Today blew me away," Johnson said Saturday. "The generosity of this community and Starved Rock Country continues to amaze me. The amount of plungers and the sponsors that support this event each year warms my heart, especially after being so cold most of the day."
Stay tuned for a complete list of funds raised by Penguin Plunge participants, which will be published in The Times.
And to all those frosty plungers, we hope you've warmed up by now.