CORTEZ – The annual Clancy’s New Year’s Day Shamrock Shiver charity event looked a little different from prior years, but the goal was still the same – to raise money for local charities.
In previous years, members of the community have plunged into the chilly Gulf waters to raise donations for charitable organizations.
Following the hurricanes, Clancy’s decided to replace the Shamrock Shiver plunge with an ice bucket challenge. Community members raised donation pledges for local charities Healthy Teens, Take Stock in Children and Mothers Helping Mothers.
After getting doused with a bucket of ice water, Tom Overmier said he has participated in the event for the past 16 years.
“This is for helping kids,” Overmier said. “That’s why I do it.”
Healthy Teens is dedicated to empowering youth to make positive, healthy decisions for their success and wellbeing.
“We provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed choices about their physical, mental and emotional health,” according to the organization’s mission statement.
Take Stock in Children Inc. is a nonprofit mentoring, college success and college scholarship organization dedicated to transforming Florida one student at a time, according to its mission statement.
Mothers Helping Mothers provides basic necessities for families and children, including baby items, free to families in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
The ice bucket challenge was followed by music by the Dr. Dave Band, along with door prizes, raffles and a silent auction.
More than $438,000 has been raised for local charities since the annual fundraiser began in 2009. The target goal for 2025 was $40,000.
BRADENTON BEACH – Hundreds of people, many in creative costumes, gathered on the sand for the 15th year of the Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge. Although the weather was in the high 70s and the sun was shining the water temperature was a chilly 59 degrees for the annual event held by Clancy’s Freaki-Tiki to raise money for local charities that help area children.
“This is hilarious, you guys are killing us with this,” said Rhonda Klaren of Lancaster Pennsylvania. Klaren was enjoying some beach time near the event with her husband, Carl. “They do this where we live; I think they call it the Polar Bear Plunge, but it’s at a boat ramp on a river that is close to literally being frozen. You guys run into water that’s hilariously warm, all things considered. It’s for charity though, so we won’t knock it. The people here are wonderful.”
At exactly noon participants rush to be first in the water at the 2023 Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
To date, the annual plunge into the Gulf has raised $362,284. This year, the goal was to raise $40,000 with all of the funds going to Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County, Inc. and Take Stock in Children of Manatee County, all 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations. A post-plunge party took place at Clancy’s on Cortez Road with the Dr. Dave Band performing and more money raised through raffle tickets, a silent auction and live auction as the party continued.
Clancy’s is located at 6218 Cortez Rd. W. in Bradenton.
The GoFundMe page includes a narrative written by Rose.
“A little over two weeks ago, my brother BJ Lipke was in a car accident. He suffered no injury from that but when they checked him at the ER they discovered a mass in his lung and some spots in his brain. Two days later we got a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer that had metastasized to his brain. He has no insurance, can’t drive or work and has started radiation treatment to shrink the tumors in his brain. Chemotherapy is next when the radiation is finished,” she wrote.
“BJ is one of the most genuine, kindest souls I have ever known, and he is stubborn and a fighter. In just a few short weeks, we – BJ, myself, my brother Jim and sister Julie – have had literally thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses to keep him in his apartment and get him into treatment quickly,” she wrote.
BJ Lipke spent many years working locally as a bartender. – Rose Lipke | Submitted
“Many of you have already offered and given help directly and we are so humbled and thankful. We have only just begun this fight, so if you can, please help us help him with whatever you can. Thank you and please keep us in your thoughts for the long weeks and months ahead,” her narrative says in closing.
When interviewed Saturday, Rose said, “It was a pretty hard blow. It’s one of those things where your life changes in an instant.”
She said her brother was working in the Coral Shores neighborhood as a maintenance man for Island Property Maintenance and his boss, who was following behind him, witnessed him get in a single-car accident while making a turn without ever hitting the brakes.
“The CAT scan later showed he had two previous mini-strokes, but they couldn’t tell when they happened. We think he blacked out. He doesn’t really remember the accident. He remembers being fished out of the car and that’s it. He went in to get checked for the accident and they found the other stuff and confirmed it,” Rose said.
She said BJ spent the past two years living in Tennessee, where his son lives. He returned to the Cortez area about three weeks ago and is living in an apartment near the Cortez Clam Factory.
“He had just moved back. I’m glad he’s here because he’s got a lot more support here,” Rose said.
“He’s just a great human being. He tended bar at the Cortez Kitchen for many years. He was at the Clam Factory for a long time,” she said of her brother. “He’s got a lot of people here and so far it’s been overwhelming the number of people who’ve reached out to him directly.”
Regarding the online fundraiser, Rose said, “He wants to stay in his apartment as long as he can. He can’t drive because of the brain tumor diagnosis and his truck was totaled. And he can’t really work because we’re going to be doing radiation treatments.”
Rose said her 63-year-old brother had no idea he had cancer until the recent accident occurred.
“He had Hodgkin’s lymphoma 20 years ago and beat it. He’s upbeat and fighting this and he’s optimistic and in good spirits,” she said.
As of Sunday evening, the BJ Lipke GoFundMe page had received nearly $5,200 in online donations.
BRADENTON BEACH – The 11th Annual Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge, a local fundraiser for at-risk children, will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 1 at noon at Seventh Street South and Gulf Drive.
A “Post Plunge Party” will follow at Clancy’s Irish Pub, 6218 Cortez Road, Bradenton, with door prizes, beverages, food and live music.
This year’s costume contest participants will receive a free raffle ticket. Judged by crowd participation, the winner will receive a trophy at the Post Plunge Party. Contestants should arrive at the beach at 11 a.m.
A limited number of Plunge T-shirts will be available at the beach and at Clancy’s.
All of the proceeds benefit Caring for Children Charities, d/b/a Florida Winefest & Auction, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged children in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Since 2009, more than $219,500 has been awarded to area children’s charities.
Take the plunge or join them at the party, but don’t forget their logo, “Give where you live!”
To plunge, pledge or make a donation, contact Jan Crudele, Caring For Children Charities/Florida Winefest, at 941-952-1109 or Rayma Stowe at Clancy’s, 941-794-2489.
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