By LISA SIMPSON STRANGE
GLASGOW — For the third year in a row, a group of otherwise sane people will dress up in crazy costumes and jump into icy cold water Saturday, all for a good cause.
More than 30 volunteers have signed up to take the Penguin Plunge to benefit the Junior Achievement of Glasgow-Barren County. The event is designed to raise funds and awareness for JA’s business and economic programs for area students in kindergarten through 12th grade, according to Gina Lyon, co-chair of the plunge.
“As you well know, fundraising has become much more challenging for non-profit organizations like Junior Achievement as businesses and organizations tighten their belts in this weakening economy,” Lyon said. “There are many worthy organizations all competing for fewer and fewer dollars. It is for these very reasons that consideration for supporting Junior Achievement becomes more important.”
Participants will gather Saturday at 10:30 a.m. outside the Kentucky National Guard Armory on Cavalry Drive for the bone-chilling, but heart-warming event.
“The Penguin Plunge involves challenging and recruiting individuals and teams from the local community who are willing to raise a minimum of $50 in donations to earn the right to jump into the chilly waters of an outdoor pool assembled especially for this event by Jamie Harris and the guys at Pools of Leisure of Glasgow,” said Lyon.” Junior Achievement offers fundraising prizes and incentives for various fundraising goals to reward participants for their contributions. Last year’s event raised over $7,000.”
Before the actual plunging begins, judges will pick a Plumage Award winner for the most creatively dressed “penguin.” Individual and team awards will be given to the biggest fundraisers and the oldest “penguin” the largest “Flock of Penguins” will also be recognized.
Jumpers probably won’t wait around the pool and “cool their heels.” Weather forecasts call for periodic snow and rain and temperature highs only in the mid-40s for Saturday.
After jumping, the “penguins” will return to the warmth of the armory where a warm shower and a cup of hot chocolate will be waiting for them.
“I think everyone will agree, Junior Achievement has the ‘coolest’ fundraiser in town,” Lyon said.
Sponsors of the Penguin Plunge include: presenting sponsor Bluegrass Cellular, Pools of Leisure, Kentucky National Guard Armory, Lessenberry Do It Center, 103.7 The Point, Citizen First Bank, Jobe Publishing, Blue Cotton, Earnhart & Friends and WBKO-13.
Penguin Plunge registration information is available by calling Gina Lyon at 590-3255.
Junior Achievement offers educational programs that focus on seven key content areas: business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics/character, financial literacy and career development.
This school year, Junior Achievement of Glasgow-Barren County anticipates serving more than 2,500 area students through 100-plus programs in classrooms and after-school programs. For more information about JA’s programs, visit www.jaforkids.com
Penguin Plungers
1. Johnathan Bryant – Bluegrass Cellular, Rub-A-Dub
2. Rob DiGiovanni – Rub-A-Dub
3. Toreka Pulou – Rub-A-Dub
4. Carol DeGroft - Cave City Chamber of Commerce
5. Jeff Edwards – Citizen’s First Bank
6. April Bowles – American Engineers
7. Kevin Estes – American Engineers
8. Derron Steenbergen Commonwealth Broadcasting and Logan - (Penguin Support)
9. Dr. Rhonda Underwood - Heritage Chiropractic
10. Leigh Ann Strode - BB&T;
10. Harley Headrick - Eastern Vol. Fire Dept.
11. Shannon Harwood - Eastern Vol. Fire Dept.
12. Joey Martin - EVFD
13. James Boyter - EVFD
14. Thomas Poynter - EVFD
15. Thomas Griffin - EVFD
16. Tom Riddle - EVFD
17. Wesley Coulter - EVFD
18. Brandon Johnson - EVFD
19. Bobby Bilbrey - Eastern Fire Dept.
20. Kelly Bell - Glasgow High School
21. Michael Peterson - Cave City Vol. Fire Dept.
22. Freddie Joe Wilkerson- Glasgow Kiwanis, “Elvis”
23. Keith Hale - Barren Co. High School
24. Steve Riley - BCHS
25. Warren Cunningham - BCHS
26. Tina Grimes - Barren Co. Schools
27. Chris Eaton Sheriff’s Dept. - The Diputies, 5 Deputies
28. Ashley Thompson - Cave City Girl Scout Club 383 and Briley Thompson, Lindsey Jewell, Lauren Stinson, Destiny Anderson, Chyrston Jones, Brenna Cleveland (Penguin Support)
