10th Annual Polar Bear Plunge
Tenth Annual Polar Plunge
January 9, 2010
TEN remarkable years of making a tremendous splash to support those living with or affected by cancer was celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement at “The Tenth Annual Northwood’s Original Polar Bear Plunge”.
An entire community came together to make this icy plunge the phenomenal success it has become. Founders and organizers, Mike Wolf of WRJO Radio, George and Lois Ruediger along with Kaye and Rob Manthei owners of Fibber’s Bar and Lodge in St. Germain, and an entire team of dedicated and greatly appreciated volunteers raised a “chilling” amount of over $28,900 to benefit Camp Angel/Camp Teen Angel, Angel Adventures and other programs of Angel On My Shoulder.
Over the past ten years this amazing event has raised more than $212,000 (this year’s goal of exceeding the $200,000 mark was proudly) for Angel On My Shoulder and 1,073 plungers have contributed to that monumental success. Mike Wolf, one of the founder/organizers and radio personality exclaimed… “Our goal this year was to get over the $200,00 mark and the crowd went crazy when we announced the totals”.
We gratefully salute the 125 shivering plungers, many sporting creative and imaginative costumes, who braved the icy waters of Big St. Germain Lake to support those living with or affected by cancer. Hundreds of spectators lined the shores to fill the cheering section which added the “frost”ing on the cake to this unique event. On the “Wings of Love” … the first plungers were WRJO radio personality, Amy Linnett, and veteran plunger Dick Lemke but not before Dick asked the “big” question. Mike Wolf asked Dick if he was ready to take the plunge and in a tender marriage proposal, Dick turned to Amy on bended knee and asked if she was ready to “take the plunge”. Amy answered yes and together they plunged into the icy waters. That was so “cool” and there will be a “warm” and happy ending to this story.
And the prestigious “Polar” awards were proudly accredited to:
(Based on Cumulative total collected by each plunger over the past 10 years)
Glory Board ($1,500-$2,499) 
George Ruediger $1,503
Gayle Peters $1,540
Fritz Richter $1,599
Ann Kakacek $1,610
Steve Soltwedel $1,615
John Soulier $1,620
Cecil Stewart $1,666
Brian Stoffel $1,820
Deb Carlberg $1,878
Dan Ojala $1,993
Alison Castro $2,100
Charlie Taylor $2,230
Courtney Draeving $2,313
Larry Braasch $2,351
Angel Board ($2,500-$4,999)
Sue McCutchin $2,939
Trig’s $4,500
Halleluiah Board ($5,000+)
J.J. Johnson $5,485
Pete Adams $6,640
Russ (Moses) Huizinga $10,433 (Glory Be) !!!!
Dick Lemke $10,710 (Hurray & Halleluiah)!!!!
A big round of applause to Moses for collecting the highest pledge total this year with pledges totaling $2,563, and to the awesome Schoeneck Family and friends for gathering pledges of $2,315 in loving memory of their perfect little Angel, Jadelynn Schoeneck. They also played a major role in organizing and contributing to this year’s plunge.
Kudos to Mike Wolf and Amy Linnett, WRJO Radio personalities, for co-hosting a Pledge-A-Thon on their station for the third year in a row by staying on the air for a 30-hour bonus round, greatly enhancing the proceeds of the Plunge. An “over the top” amount of $7,226 in pledges was raised through Mike and Amy’s dedicated “red eye” efforts. Way to go and an “over the top” THANK YOU to both of you “above and beyond” Angels!!
We salute the recipients of this year’s “Guardian Angel” plaques – George Schroeder, in charge of the hole cutting crew and Lu Ann Newton who does the behind-the-scenes registration work, tallying the pledges and statistics for the Plunge. Both have been involved since the inception of the Plunge. This year also commemorated Lu Ann’s 10th year of being CANCER FREE. :O) A heartfelt acknowledgement to Lois Ruediger, registration coordinator along with Lois Rogacki, AOMS board member, who assists with registrations.
A special and very honorable mention to Sue Lemke who donated a beautiful hand-crafted quilt with Polar bear & Penguin appliqués from each of the past year’s shirts in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Plunge.
The access ramp and elevated platform for the plungers, a wonderful addition to the Plunge, was once again provided by Pier d’North Corporation along with a Putt Putt Ice Challenge presented by The Schoeneck Family.
We offer our unending gratitude to the sponsors of this frosty fundraiser: Fibber’s Restaurant, WRJOldies 94.5fm, Business Connection, First National Bank, 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 supportive boost from the marvelous media…Lakeland Times, Vilas County News Review and Channel 12 of Rhinelander. Our deepest THANKS 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.
Anyone interested in seeing pictures of the recent Polar Plunge can go to: http://www.newdaephoto.com/pbp2010 password angellove.
Lisa and Dennis from Newdae Photography took some really great pictures. They graciously donate their talents to many of our events. Thank you Lisa and Dennis and all the people who supported us in the plunge. You can also revisit the 10th Annual Polar Plunge by checking out the websites of www.wrjo.com.
We “warmly” welcome you to join us for the Eleventh Annual “Northwood’s Original” Polar Bear Plunge scheduled for Saturday, January 8 , 2011. The “plunge” is set to begin at High Noon.
If you are interested in plunging, volunteering, spectating, donating, or becoming a sponsor, please contact us -
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