Plunging past $73,000; Dutchtown Jumpers raise $13K
Published 10:44 am Monday, February 1, 2016
Members of Boy Scout Troop 113 Jacob Langstaff, from left, Sam Hagen and John Olson head into the water during the Polar Plunge Saturday afternoon in East Side Lake. — Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Paint the Town Pink plunged its way to more than $73,000 on Saturday.
“It was as great day,” co-organizer Joe Muzik said.
Dutchtown Jumper Jeremy Olson gets the crowd going before his jump into East Side Lake.
The fourth annual Plunging for Pink was the biggest yet, easily topping last year’s roughly $59,000 thanks to the efforts of 241 people who jumped into an icy East Side Lake.
“People had a lot of fun and most importantly everyone was safe,” Muzik said.
All money goes toward Paint the Town Pink and to The Hormel Institute to raise money to research breast cancer cures and treatments.
The Dutchtown Jumpers, sponsored by Hoot & Ole’s Smittys Tavern, retained their crown as the top team by bringing in $13,000. However, AgStar Financial Services pledged to match up to $10,000 for the top team, bringing the total to $23,000.
The Dutchtown Jumpers also won the award for best dressed team, as they took off Rocky Balboa-styled robes to jump in American flag Speedos and suspenders.
Toby Hovelsrud makes an early entrance into the lake as the crew from Davis, Thoen, Kramer & Associates get ready to jump during the Polar Plunge Saturday afternoon.
“We saw a lot of interesting team costumes and uniforms this year,” Muzik said.
The top individual was Hormel Foods Corp.’s Tim Fritz, who raised $10,000 after he told co-workers he’d jump if he reached $10,000.
“We campaigned to get him in the frigid waters of East Side Lake,” said Muzik, who works at Hormel.
Muzik said an anonymous donor pledged the final money needed to get Fritz in East Side Lake.
Muzik thanked the city of Austin and several businesses, individuals and organizations that made the day a success. He said the layout was improved, giving spectators a better view of the jumpers. The weather was also pleasant with highs reaching the 30s.
“The weather couldn’t have cooperated better,” Muzik said. “We had a great crowd out there.”
Gail Dennison and Kathy Finley hit the water during their jump at the Polar Plunge Saturday at East Side Lake. Both women were challenged by Gary Ray.
The 241 jumpers topped 238 from last year. Muzik said some dollars are still expected to come in, which could push the total higher.
The official PTTP runs through Feb. 14.
Six-year-old Lucas Klitzman is helped out of East Side Lake by family members Emily McAlister, right, and Barb McAlister after their jump in the Polar Plunge Saturday afternoon. Hope McAlister also took part in the jump.
