Penguin Plungers Brave Cold Weather, Water for Charity [With Video]

On Saturday, some very brave penguins ignored the cold weather to take a dip in the cold water of Crystal Lake to benefit the Special Olympics.

The day of the 6th Annual Penguin Plunge started with flurries and by plunge time, it was near 40 degrees, but with the blustery wind, it felt closer to 30 degrees. 

Marc Mercadante, Eastern Regional Director for Special Olympics Connecticut, has been doing this for a very long time and said this is the coldest he's been at an event. Last year, the temperatures were very mild.

He said that some people decided not to plunge, but will still be sending checks to Special Olympics Connecticut. Mercadante said that this event raised $34,000 with 113 plungers.

The top individual fundraiser was Roseanne Sapula from South Windsor. The Lucky Locks Penguins-Windsor Locks Sports Stars were the top fundraising group, and the South Windsor Police Department was the top fundraising Public Service Group. The top school fundraising group was the Windsor Locks Public Schools group.

The best group costume award went to the "Krazy Krew" and the best individual costume went to Wonder Woman.

Awards:

Rock Hopper Award - Best Individual Costume - Wonder Women - Michelle Metcalf

Waddle Award - Best Costume - group - Krazy Krew - Elvis and Friends

Silver Penguin - Janet Arnone, EHS Unified Sports

Arctic Hero Award - Top Public Safety Award - South Windsor PD

Rocking Schoolhouse Award - Top fundraising school - Windsor Lock Sports Stars-Windsor Lock Public Schools

Penguin on the Rocks Award - Top Bar/Restaurant - Casey’s Café, Ellington

Web Surfer Award - Top money raised online - Roseanne Sapula - Penguin Wannabee’s, South Windsor

Emperor Club Award - Top money raised - group - Lucky Locks Penguins- Windsor Locks Sports Stars

Emperor Award - Top money raised - individual - Roseanne Sapula - Penguin Wannabee’s, South Windsor

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