AGH’s Penguin Swim To Celebrate 25th Anniversary

AGH’s Penguin Swim To Celebrate 25th Anniversary

BERLIN – Event organizers with the 25th Annual Penguin Swim say it is not too late to register for next week’s fundraising event.

On Tuesday, Jan. 1, Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) will host its 25th Annual Penguin Swim at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel on 91st Street in Ocean City. There, swimmers will brave the chilly conditions and frigid ocean waters to raise money for health care services at the facility and in the community.

“The penguin swim is a fun, annual event to support our not-for-profit community hospital,” Special Events Coordinator Joy Stokes said. “Each year, hundreds of penguins raise funds to help the hospital provide the excellent quality care our community depends on. Individual and team fundraising efforts by Penguin Swim participants enable Atlantic General to continue to provide that care.”

Last year, the event attracted hundreds of participants and raised $78,000 for AGH. Since its inception, the event has raised nearly $1.1 million.

This year, the 25th Annual Penguin Swim concludes a year-long celebration of AGH’s 25th anniversary. Stokes encouraged community members to come out and watch the penguin swim or sign up to participate.

Online registration is open until 7 a.m. on Jan. 1, and walk-in registration is open from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the premier lobby, lower level of the Princess Royale.

At 12:45 p.m., teams from Crab Alley and Bull on the Beach – the event’s legacy sponsor – will parade to the beach from 94th Street to the swim area on 91st Street.

The Penguin Swim will then kick off at 1 p.m.

Special recognition awards will be given to oldest and youngest Penguins. Trophies for first, second, and third place will be awarded to those who raise the most money in divisions for Individuals – Adults and 18 & under, and Teams – Businesses, Community Groups/Organizations, and Youth/Family. There will also be prizes awarded for the best costumes.

The annual event will also offer carnival games, face painting, mermaids and more.

Participants are encouraged to come to pre-registration and advance check-in at the Princess Royale in the premier lobby from 2-4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

All penguins will receive an official 2019 AGH Penguin Swim short-sleeve T-shirt for their $25 registration fee. Additional incentive prizes can be earned based on individual fundraising efforts.

Stokes said the hospital hopes to net more than $85,000 from next week’s event, and she encouraged anyone to join in the fundraising efforts.

“It’s a great event that brings together our community and visitors to have fun doing something a little silly and unique, as well as help one of the most important assets in our community,” she said. “It’s a fun family event that has become an annual tradition for many participants and spectators. It’s a great way to ring in the New Year while supporting Atlantic General Hospital.”

For more information, or to register, visit www.aghpenguinswim.org or text PENGUIN to 51555. Individuals can also call the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation office at 410-641-9671.

About The Author: Bethany Hooper

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Bethany Hooper has been with The Dispatch since 2016. She currently covers various general stories. Hooper graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 2012 and the University of Maryland in 2016, where she completed double majors in journalism and economics.