31ST ANNUAL PENGUIN SWIM: KICKING OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH A SPLASH!

(Photo courtesy of Chris Parypa Photography)

On January 1, 2025, more than 700 registered teams and individual penguins gathered on the sand in Ocean City, along with hundreds of spectators, to take part in a decades-long tradition: the AGH Penguin Swim community fundraiser benefitting local healthcare.

As noon approached, participants lined up on the shoreline while The Bull on the Beach, the Penguin Swim’s 31-consecutive-year title sponsor, paraded toward the swim area. At the countdown, penguins dressed in costume or their summer swimwear charged into the 46-degree ocean as the crowd cheered them on.

This year’s Penguin Swim raised more than $121,000, exceeding the AGH Foundation’s financial goal for the event.

“We’re thrilled with the community response for this year’s Penguin Swim,” said Emily Tunis, Atlantic General Hospital Foundation chair. “And, we’re so appreciative of the generosity of our individual and team fundraisers and sponsors. Their contributions directly benefit this community, allowing Atlantic General Hospital to invest in the technology, clinical staff and infrastructure necessary to provide safe, high quality care. I can’t say thank you enough.”

This outstanding outcome can be credited to the AGH Foundation staff, the Penguin Swim Committee, event co-chairs Ryan Kirby and Caitlin Evans, and the unwavering support of the local residents and visitors that Atlantic General serves.

Additional donations can still be made online at www.aghpenguinswim.org.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 PENGUIN SWIM EVENT SPONSORS

Legacy Sponsor for 31 Consecutive Years as Title Sponsor: “The Emperor Penguin” Bull on the Beach

Blizzard Sponsor: Ocean City Tourism

Glacier Sponsors: AGH Auxiliary; D3 Corp; Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort & Condominiums; WBOC

Iceberg Sponsors: AGH Medical Staff; Chris Parypa Photography; Duffie Boatworks, LLC; WMDT

Igloo Sponsors: Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645; The Corey Family; Wilmington University

Icicle Sponsors: American Legion - Synepuxent Post #166 Auxiliary; Atlantic Dental Cosmetic & Family Dentistry; Bank of Ocean City; DJ Street; Farmers Bank of Willards; First-Rate Movers; Guerrieri Family Foundation; Jess Hein HVAC; Long Life Treated Wood, Inc.; Monte Carlo Hotel Group; Ocean 13; Red Sun Custom Apparel, Inc.; Sally Dowling Family Foundation; The Shrimp Boat; The Windrow Group; TPG Hotels & Resorts

Snowflake Sponsors: Ayres, Jenkins, Gordy and Almand, P.A.; Barn 34; Celtic RnR Tours, Inc.; Ellen Waters; Gary and Dara Murray; Ice Ice Kirbys; J3 Mobile Shredding LLC; John Carpenter; Malibu’s Surf Shop; Mama’s Tax Service; Mann Properties, Inc.; Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645 Ladies Auxiliary; Pancho & Lefty’s; Park Place Jewelers; Snow Hill Middle School; Trond’s Pool Construction, LLC; Vonnie & Charlie Brown

TOP FUNDRAISERS

Individual Youth 18 & Under

1. Leila Attia - $1,240
2. Delaney Whittington - $1,030
3. Meredith Whittington - $500

Individual Adult

1. Matthew Lynch - $1,070
2. James King - $675
3. Susan Sturla - $660

Youth/Family Team

1. The Happy Horns - $6,059
2. Team Believe – $5,868.75
3. Pennsylvania Penguins - $1,300

Community Group Team

1. OC Ravens Roost #44* - $12,150
2. AGH Junior Auxiliary Group - $1,930
3. License to Chill - $1,875

*The Ravens Roost team has contributed more than $182,000 to the AGH Penguin Swim over the last 16 years.

Business Team

1. Bull on the Beach* - $25,000
2. Local 486 Swim Team - $3,100
3. Crabby Matty’s Crew - $565
   *The Bull on the Beach team has contributed more than $725,000 to the AGH Penguin Swim since it started.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Oldest Penguin: Robert Reese – 80 years young

Youngest Penguin: Zachary Tybrowski – 4 months old

Traveled the Farthest: Ansley Heckscher – Boulder, Wyoming

COSTUME CONTEST

Best Youth Costume: Thomas Riccardi as “Banana”

Best Adult Costume: Butch Lorditch as “Poseidon”

Best Couple Costume: Cinzia Lombardo and Hannah Dulas as “Old Bay and Crab”

Best Group Costume: Crabby Matty’s Crew as “Finding Nemo”

“Blingiest” Costume, sponsored by Park Place Jewelers: Melissa and Olivia Page as “Wintery, Christmasy Mermaids