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Shamrock Shiver moves from beach to bar

Shamrock Shiver moves from beach to bar

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

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.

Shamrock Shiver raises funds for local charities

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Entertainment, Events.

BRADENTON BEACH – In a charitable kickoff to the new year, more than 100 people gathered at Cortez Beach and jumped into the Gulf of Mexico’s 61-degree waters on Jan. 1 at noon for the Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge.

The event, sponsored by Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub & Grill, is in its 16th year and has raised more than $400,000 for local charities since its inception.

The fundraiser has grown over the years; in 2009, $14,000 was raised, while in 2023, more than $38,000 was brought in, with 100% of the proceeds donated to charity.

As noon approached, Clancy’s employee Danny Moore counted down – New Year’s Eve-style – before telling the crowd, many of them in costume, that it was time to make their splash into the water.

The participants rushed forward into the water, and given the especially chilly water temperatures, most ran out of the water just about as quickly as they went in.

Jim Madison has been participating in the plunge for the past five years.

“The water was really cold this year. It’s usually close to 80 degrees, but not this year,” Madison said. “Still, I’m happy to do it, it’s for a good cause.”

The proceeds from the Shamrock Shiver benefit non-profit organizations Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County Inc. and Take Stock in Children of Manatee County.

Following the plunge, fundraising festivities continued at Clancy’s on Cortez Road throughout the afternoon.

The Dr. Dave Band performed and more money was raised through raffle tickets, a silent auction and a live auction.

Participants in the 16th annual Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub & Grill’s Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge on New Year’s Day run into 61-degree Gulf waters at Bradenton Beach to raise funds for local non-profits. - Leslie Lake | Sun

Participants in the 16th annual Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub & Grill’s Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge on New Year’s Day run into 61-degree Gulf waters at Bradenton Beach to raise funds for local non-profits. - Leslie Lake | Sun

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Plunging into a new year

Plunging into a new year

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Featured.

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.”

Plunging into a new year
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.

Shamrock Shiver raises big bucks

Shamrock Shiver raises funds for charities

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The results are in for this year’s 14th Annual Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge on New Year’s Day.

About 100 people took the plunge, with 60 of those signed up before the event, which raised $56,180 between pledges, live auction, silent auction, raffles and a 50/50 drawing at Clancy’s. This brings the total raised to date to $362,284. 

Items donated included offshore fishing trips, a backwater fishing trip, Kenny Chesney tickets, several golf packages, a Hall of Famer Johnny Bench authentic autographed Louisville Slugger bat, a Whitey Ford authentic autographed New York Yankees jersey, tickets to the Lightning game, tickets to the Bucs week 18 game, including a “registered” Super Bowl football with a stand from the Bradford Exchange, a vacation package on Anna Maria Island, granite from Planet Stone and dinners for two from various local restaurants.

All proceeds including sponsorship benefits go to The Blessing Bags Project, F.E.L.T. (Feeding Empty Little Tummies), Healthy Teens Collation and N.I.M. (Nutrition Initiative of Manatee), all 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations dedicated to helping disadvantaged children in Manatee County.

Shamrock Shiver is a New Year’s tradition

Shamrock Shiver a New Year’s tradition

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

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.

Shamrock Shiver is a New Year’s tradition
Ruth Ann and Barry Hopkins not only took the plunge, but were also winners of the best costume contest at the 2022 Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

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.” 

Shamrock Shiver is a New Year’s tradition
Paul Devine shows off his love for sea turtles at the 2022 Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

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.

Take a New Year’s dip at Shamrock Shiver

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Holiday.

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.

Shamrock Shiver

Shamrock Shiver lives up to its name

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured, Holiday.

BRADENTON BEACH – Ten years ago, a group of Clancy’s Irish Pub customers decided to emulate the polar bear events that saw people plunge into frigid water on New Year’s Day in locations where the temperatures got truly cold. The planners here felt it would be rare if the temperature at semi-tropical Cortez Beach dipped too low.

New Year’s Day 2018 was one of those times.

Close to 100 costumed people participated in the 10th annual Shamrock Shiver, a fundraiser for 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.

Because there was a costume contest, teams of participants dotted the beach. Jen and Mark Bowman, from Keller-Williams Realty, had their team of toucans, people with long yellow noses and black costumes. They chanted “Toucan do it!” One entry wore a Superman costume and carried a large plunger. Perhaps the most interesting was a woman dressed up as Miss Alaska… Angelina Klapperich is Miss Alaska and she’s visiting her mother in Manatee County. She was wearing very little compared with all the others and she said she’s used to the cold. The costume winner was Peggy Garten, who wore a beard and wig and looked like a man looking like a woman.

As the time neared for the start, revelers tested the water and found it felt warm compared to the temperature of the air.

When the participants got the start signal, they proceeded rapidly to the water, splashed around a little, turned around and headed to their vehicles. Most of them headed for Clancy’s for an après freeze party where raffles and auctions raised more than $20,000 for Caring For Children.

“It was a hell of a way to get over a hangover,” one participant said.

Dark and ominous Gulf waters awaited the 10th Annual Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Dark and ominous Gulf waters awaited the 10th Annual Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Team Toucan lines up for pictures before the plunge. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Team Toucan lines up for pictures before the plunge. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Many of the participants had rafts with toucan heads, despite a small craft advisory issued by the National Weather Service. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Many of the participants had rafts with toucan heads, despite a small craft advisory issued by the National Weather Service. - Tom Vaught | Sun

They’re off, with the toucans in the lead. - Tom Vaught | Sun

They’re off, with the toucans in the lead. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Some of the participants wore Budweiser Beer frog outfits. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Some of the participants wore Budweiser Beer frog outfits. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Angelina Klapperich, Miss Alaska, was visiting her mother in the area and decided to participate. Florida’s cold weather had little effect on her. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Angelina Klapperich, Miss Alaska, was visiting her mother in the area and decided to participate. Florida’s cold weather had little effect on her. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Peggy Garten, a woman dressed as a man dressed as a woman, won the costume contest. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Peggy Garten, a woman dressed as a man dressed as a woman, won the costume contest. - Tom Vaught | Sun