Plungers raise a cold, wet bundle for Special Olympics Idaho
<p>Pretty pirate Tiffany Murray wins most money raised catagory for Special Olympics Idaho at the 2012 Penguin Plunge Saturday in Bonners Ferry.</p>
What does a rainy, cold, windy Saturday, a 36 degree Kootenai River, crazy costumes, uniformed public service members and the Athletes of Special Olympics Idaho equal?
A successful Penguin Plunge 2012.
More than $7,500 was raised by the event.
This is the third straight year for the Penguin Plunge in Bonners Ferry and another record set for fund raising.
Prizes for best costume, most money raised and team and individual spirit were handed out.
For the most team spirit was Team Brinkman House. These boys went all out as they took off their shirts and jumped into the icy waters, one even doing a belly flop.
For costumes first place went to the Twilight group aka Team Johnson who were dressed as vampires. Second place went to the lovely BFHS sophomore Desirae Minor who went as a blue haired Wonder. And third place went to retired Chief of Police Dave Kramer who was Batman this year Woman.
The individual spirit award went to Jack Flinn who Thursday wasn’t real sure he was wearing a costume but ended up dressing as a Lady Jack Flinn and was thrown into the river by volunteers.
The Public Service team award was given to U.S. Customs and Border Protection including Port Director Sue Wilson, officer Jennifer Hutcher, officer Heather Gray, enforcement officer Ted Smith and agent Dave Smith.
For the third year in a row, Drug Abuse Resistance and SRO Officer Tiffany Murray raised the most money.
The emcee this year was KBFI’s a.m. 1450 Badger sports announcer David Brinkman. Jo Jo Baker and his wife served up hot food for spectators, athletes and plungers.
The judges were acting Bonners Ferry Chief of Police Joel Minor, Boundary County School District 101 Superintendent Dick Conley, Chief Patrol Agent of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Spokane Sector Gloria Chaves and CBP, who is the area port director in Great Falls, Mont., Dan Escobedo.
The Boundary County Sheriff Greg Sprungl and deputies were present with their multi-support vehicle all decked out in camouflage and with Marine One standing by in the water. Members of the Sheriff's Posse and Boundary Search and Dive Rescue were present as well.
Boundary Volunteer Ambulance had a full crew on standby and also offered a place for plungers to warm up.
Businesses who contributed to this years plunge were Safeway, Akins Harvest Foods, Wal-Mart, Bonners Ferry Sign Company, C.E. Kramer Crane and Mugsy’s.