Update: The Plunge goes on, raises over $12K
Published 2:08 pm Saturday, February 20, 2021
It was a party atmosphere at Hoot & Ole’s and Judy's Too on Saturday as people waited for the beginning of a minature version of Plunging for Pink Saturday. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
People turned out to Hoot & Ole’s and Judy's Too Saturday afternoon for a minature version of Plunging for Pink by the Dutchtown Jumpers. Becasue of the pandemic, the Plunge as a whole was called off, but the Dutchtown Jumpers decided to go forward with their reduced version. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
People wait for the start of Saturday’s miniature version of Plunging for Pink at Hoot & Ole’s and Judy's Too. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Tom Farguson makes a splash as the first jumper during Saturday’s miniature Plunging for Pink at Hoot & Ole’s and Judy's Too. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Jeremy Olson thanks people for coming to Hoot & Ole’s and Judy's Too Saturday as part of the Dutchtown Jumpers’ mini version of the Paint the Town Pink’s Plunging for Pink Saturday. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Bobbi Rayman falls forward towards the pool during her jump Saturday at Hoot & Ole’s and Judy's Too. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Mike Petersen hits the water during his jump at Hoot & Ole’s and Judy's Too in February. Herald file photo
Steam rolls off Jeremy Olson after his jump during a minature Plunging for Pink Saturday at Hoot & Ole’s and Judy's Too. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Dutchtown Jumper Mike Upcraft falls backward into the pool during this jump Saturday. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
With the help of Peggy Young, this year’s youngeest jumper, seven-year-old Kia Vasquez makes the jump. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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No seeking matching funds
COVID may have forced the cancellation of the annual Plunging for Pink event usually held at East Side Lake, but that didn’t stop the Dutchtown Jumpers from placing a 500-gallon water tank in front of Hoot & Ole’s and Judy’s Too to hold an improvised Plunge for the Cure event on Saturday.
The event, which saw jumpers plunging into the cold water, raised $12,505 for cancer research at The Hormel Institute, according to Hoot & Ole’s and Judy’s Too co-owner (and Dutchtown Jumper) Jeremy Olson.
“I was expecting about $8,000, then I started counting the money,” Olson said. “This town is so amazing when they get together behind a cause and help each other out. The Dutchtown Jumpers can’t say thank you enough.”
Olson said that about a dozen participants, ranging in age from 7 to 75, took the plunge this year.
Olson said that he is seeking to raise matching funds from other places to donate along with Saturday’s total.
“We’ll definitely be at the $20,000+ mark that we can donate to The Hormel Institute,” he said. “I’ve talked to several of the scientists there and their work never stops, even in a pandemic. The least we can do is help these guys out, and we love doing it.”
