AGH Penguin Swim The Go-To Event For New Year's Day 2015

Berlin, Md. – Roughly 850 participants and countless spectators celebrated New Year’s Day 2015 with the 21^st Annual AGH Penguin Swim. The turnout was fantastic, according to event organizers, thanks to the beautiful sunny weather.

The success of the event is due, in great part, to Penguin Swim co-chairs Sal Fasano and Madalaine How as well as the support of the communities and resort visitors Atlantic General Hospital serves.

At last tally, the Penguin Swim has raised $91,000 for the not-for-profit hospital, but that number is expected to increase as the final donations make their way to the AGH Foundation.

The notables from the event:

Top Fundraisers

Individual

1. Craig Kettler (Leesburg, Va.), $3,390
2. Butch “Woody” German (Baltimore, Md.), $1,632
3. Robert LeCompte(Columbia, Md.), $525

Team – Business Category
1. Bull on the Beach (Ocean City, Md.), $27,000
2. AGH Flapping Flamingos (Berlin, Md.), $2,661
3. Fisher’s Popcorn (Ocean City, Md.), $1,300

Team – Community Groups Category
1. Ocean City Ravens Roost #44 (Ocean City, Md.), $9,555|
2. The Parke at Ocean Pines (Ocean Pines, Md.), $4,840
3. The Jamboys (Baltimore, Md.), $1,350.69

Individual – 18 & Under Division

1. Benjamin Kettler (Leesburg, Va.), $385
2. Lilliana and Nicholas Franklin (Berlin, Md.), $250 each
3. Samantha Ewancio (Berlin, Md.), $200

Team - 18 & Under Division
1. Polar Patrollers (Berlin, Md.), $370
2. Team O’Jettski’s (Ocean City, Md.), $155
3. Stephen Decatur Connections (Berlin, Md.), $100

Prizes were also awarded for the youngest and oldest swimmers and winners of the costume contest.

Youngest Penguin: Maddie Gaffney (Selbyville, De.) (1 ½ months old)
Oldest Penguin: Papa Joe Gaffney (Selbyville, De.) (81 years young)

Costume Contest
Best Overall: Butch Lorditch (Reinholds, Pa.)
Most Spirited: John Rolfes (Reisterstown, Md.)
Most Creative: Rick Moore (Glen Burnie, Md.)
Best Little Penguin: Lillianna Browning and Alexis Iovacchini (Salisbury, Md.)

Special thanks to the AGH Penguin Swim sponsors, including the Casino at Ocean Downs and Erik Cantine, sculptor of this year’s surfing penguin.

Captions:

Top Individual Fundraiser - Craig Kettler
Top Under 18 Fundraiser - Benjamin Kettler
Top Under 18 Fundraisers - Lilliana and Nicholas Franklin
Oldest Penguin Swimmer – Papa Joe Gaffney
Top Business Fundraiser – Bull on the Beach team
Top Community Organization Fundraiser - Ocean City Ravens Roost #44
AGH Swimming Skelatons & Flapping Flamingos teams