BRADENTON BEACH – A large crowd gathered between Seventh Street and 10th Street on Jan. 1 for what’s become a New Year’s Day tradition, The Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge.
Participants dressed in their most festive attire and jumped into the Gulf of Mexico for a great cause. The water was around 70 degrees, not nearly as cold as some years, to the delight of participants.
The event, sponsored by Clancy’s Irish Pub and Grill, is in its 14th year and has raised more than $306,000 to date. This year’s goal was $40,000, and organizers think that goal is attainable.
“Customers could fill out a paper and make a donation through Clancy’s, or just come out here and make a donation,” said Danny Moore, a Clancy’s employee who used his megaphone to move the crowd from land to sea at the stroke of noon. “Employees, loyal customers and anybody else in the community who wanted to come out were more than welcome.”
The proceeds from the Shamrock Shiver will benefit The Blessing Bags Project, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County Inc. and Nutrition Initiative. All of the organizations are 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
“We do this every year, we love it,” said Ruth Ann Hopkins, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, who along with her husband, Barry, dressed as Uncle Sam, were winners of best costume.
A post-plunge party took place at Clancy’s on Cortez Road following the festivities on the beach. The Dr. Dave Band performed and more money was raised through raffle tickets, a silent auction and live auction.
