Letter: Thanks for Plunging to a good year

Published 9:44 am Wednesday, February 3, 2016

By Joe Muzik

Plunging for Pink Volunteer

This last Saturday had several hundred participants and spectators at East Side Lake park, joining together to take part in the entertaining craziness that has become known as Plunging for Pink.

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If you were not able to make it out to East Side Lake this last Saturday amidst the mid winter heat wave that brought temperatures into the mid 30 degree range, I’d encourage you to visit with your friends and colleagues that may have attended Plunging for Pink and ask about what is becoming quite the community event. In the fourth consecutive year, this event has become bigger and better each year. From improved event layout to the Hy-Vee food tent, to the classic tunes being played by the Bissen Family Band over the loud speakers, there was an atmosphere of joy and celebration for the occasion! This event went very well and raised a record amount of donations towards breast cancer research at the world renowned Hormel Institute. With that, I’d like to take a moment to thank the key groups that bring this festivity to life:

Event Sponsors: These businesses and organizations put “boots on the ground” the day of the event to make sure key physical aspects are put in place and that the event is safe, successful and enjoyable for participants and spectators. The City of Austin, and notably the Park & Rec team along with the Street department do a great job of getting things set up and ready to go on plunge day. Our first goal is to make sure this is done safely, and for that we can thank our Austin Fire Department and the many firefighters that volunteer their time each year. HyVee and Hormel Foods both stepped up to provide great food service at the event. Featherlite Trailers of Rochester provided changing trailers, while AJ LYSNE of Owatonna built the warming structure for those needing some warmth after the chilly dip. Kestner Electric provided the power to provide heat, lights and the musical talents of the Bissen Family Band. Additionally, special thanks to Peter Jacobsen and his willingness to insure we had good sound at the event and post plunge party. Spreading our message and promoting our event was KAUS radio team, while 99.9’s Mason Stayfield and Crippled Angle Photography captured the many memorable moments of the day, all of which are available online at crippledangle.com. Plunging for Pink simply does not happen without the power of these organizations. Thank you for your involvement and passion.

Monetary Sponsors: Though not all sponsors were on site, there were many local businesses and organizations in our area that provided funds to pay for the various expenses of the event, so all participant donations could go towards the breast cancer research fund. Please help me in thanking the following businesses for their contributions in order to make this event successful:

AdvistorNet Financial – Wade Kolander, Austin Country Club, Atlas Insurance – Tony Roehl, Austin Bruins, Games People Play, Keller Williams Preferred Realty, Smyth Printing, American Family Insurance – Lindsay Bires, Total Fitness Gym of Austin, Full Force Crossfit, Primer Lending – Kris Heichel Team, Austin Public Schools, Whitnei Abel Photography, The Style Lounge Salon, Farmers Insurance – Tom Gillard, Collision Specialists, Runnings, Reichel Foods, Pizza Ranch, Schammel Electric, Midtown Auto Clinic, Moline Awards. Thank you for providing funds that allow this occasion to be fun and festive with large return to breast cancer research.

Donors: Each year our emcee Cody Anderson gets on the microphone and asks you to reach into your pockets and “give what you can, give ‘til it hurts, and then give some more.” Many of you did just that. Our thanks and gratitude to the many that reached into their pockets and donated to the participants and this cause.

Volunteers: To say it feels like volunteering does not sound right as I know each of you cares about this event, the city of Austin and the cause that is represented by Paint the Town Pink and Plunging for Pink. You all express happiness and satisfaction in being a part of this team, but it nonetheless still pulls you away from your careers and families at times. Thank you for your willingness to help out and serve our community.

Participants: Most importantly, the folks that jump on board for this cause, solicit and fundraise, and take the frigid icy bath in East Side lake…..Thank you to our participants. Thank you for growing this event, for brining your creativity and excitement and for bringing your hope.

Those of us involved with this event have been happy to see it grow each year. The number of plungers and total money raised has gone up each of the last four years. Just as significant however is the community pride we see in the various groups that make it happen.

Thanks for a great Plunge in 2016 and we look forward to an even bigger event in 2017!