Polar Bear Plunge Winners Announced

for various charities supported by Winterfest organizers, the New Baltimore Lions Club.

The top-earning teams are:

• First-place: Da Bearciciles
• Second-place: Just Us
• Third-place: Bikini’s by Nicole

The top-earning individuals:

• First-place: Elaine Pace
• Second-place: Diane Carson
• Third-place: Barbara Copozzo

Sponsors support Winterfest

The Lions Club thanks the following sponsors for their support of the annual charitable event:

Russ Milne

Patti Gendernalik

E & A Credit Union

Department Store

Anchor Bay Community Foundation

Bay-Rama

MSG Credit Union

Hantz Bank

New Baltimore Downtown Development Authority

Advance Restoration

Lois and Dick Pierson

AOC Awards

Grosso Trucking

AMVETS Post 52

Sons of AMVETS

The Raft

MGM Container

AIS Contractor Supply

Saturday Hosts

Saturday Entertainment

Blair Cremeens Anchor Bay Stars

The Sound Alternative

Sunday Entertainment

Doin Time Band

Additionally, Lions Club members wish to thank event supporters, such as city officials and employees, volunteers and downtown business owners.

Economy blamed for dip in donations

There were 210 plungers this year, which is down from last year's record 305. A total of $6,000 was raised from the 2012 plunge—far lower than expected for the popular Winterfest fundraiser, organizers said, blaming economic hardships.

“A lot of the money that we raise is from the plunge and that was way down this year," Winterfest Chairman and Lions Club Treasurer Karl Rutledge said.

A total amount collected for the three-day event in downtown New Baltimore was not known by Tuesday, Rutledge said.