OCEAN CITY – More than 900 Penguin Swim participants took a dip in the Atlantic Ocean Sunday to raise more than $111,000 for Atlantic General Hospital (AGH).
On New Year’s Day, 959 participants sporting costumes and bathing suits took a plunge into the waters off Ocean City for the 29th Annual Penguin Swim.
Event co-chair Ryan Kirby said unseasonably warm weather, sunny skies and no wind provided for another successful fundraising year. While preliminary totals from Sunday’s event show the hospital raised $111,000 for community health care services, Kirby said that number is expected to increase in the coming days as donations and sales continue to be calculated.
“This community is incredible with their support of all local charities and civic events,” he said. “And the AGH Penguin Swim is just one of the many this area supports with all their heart. They, once again, went above and beyond to support the swim financially and with their time.”
Since 1995, the event has grossed roughly $1.4 million in support of the hospital’s mission to provide a coordinated care system with access to quality care, personalized service and education. To date, the yearly fundraiser has allowed the hospital to purchase items such as emergency room beds and flat-screen televisions and subsidize community clinics and screenings.