On Saturday, March 16, 80 community members plunged feet first into Blue Marsh Lake, Bernville, to raise funds and awareness for the YMCA of Reading & Berks County’s 18th annual St. Patty’s Marsh Madness Polar Plunge.
All proceeds from Marsh Madness benefit the Y’s Open Doors Scholarship program to provide financial assistance to qualifying local families and securing access for their children to enjoy Y programs and memberships, regardless of their ability to pay.
Both participants and attendees alike enjoyed a festive atmosphere filled with St. Patty’s spirit and themed costumes, and free beverages and snacks, including the healthy boost of brrr-avery called The Green Hornet Smoothie made on the smoothie-making bicycle by Shawn Borup, on-staff nutritionist/chef. There was also a YMCA backdrop to commemorate the day with photos and selfies to share on social media, including with the YMCA’s social channels: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
This year’s event was made possible by the generosity of the 2024 sponsors.
- Platinum sponsors: AT&T, Redner’s, Precor, Enersys, The Works at Wyomissing, and Chicco.
- Gold sponsors: Customers Bank, Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys, MJ Reider Environmental Testing Labs, Reading Orthodontics, and Rosewell Wealth Management.
- Silver sponsors: Penn National Gaming, Barley Snyder, Burkey Construction, EHD, Fulton Bank, Herbein, ASI Holding Company, Adamstown Pool, FIP Creative, and West Lawn Quoiting Associations.
- Bronze, Anniversary, and Iceberg sponsors are listed on Marsh Madness website page.
“We had a number of newcomers to the event and a great backing of our annual supporters,” said President and CEO Phillip Borup, YMCA of Reading & Berks County. “We’re so grateful to be in a community that understands the importance for kids to have access to programs like summer camp, childcare, before and after school care, sports and swim lessons. While these programs are fun for the kids, they have been proven to be effective in child development, reducing summer learning loss, and impacting their long-term academic and personal growth,” said Borup.
The awards ceremony recognized the following supporters in three categories.
Pot of Gold Awards (Top Individuals)
- Highest male fundraiser: Mike Doutrich, also a board member of YMCA of Reading & Berks County
- Highest female fundraiser: Kim Evans, swim coach of YMCA team
- Youngest polar plunger: Kate Doutrich, age six
- Oldest polar plunger: Phillip Borup
- Best female costume: Rachel Roberts
- Best male costume: Michael Roberts
Blarney Chalice Awards (Top Groups)
- Best team costume: Reading Y Swim Team
- Member Spirit and Community Spirit awards: Exeter LEO Club
Y Spirit Awards (Y Branches)
- Y Branch with most funds raised: Reading YMCA
- Y Branch with best spirit: Sinking Spring YMCA
For 165 years, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County has been a cornerstone in the community, putting Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Driven by its founding mission, the Y is a nonprofit committed to strengthening the community and empowering individuals by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow, and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment, and demonstrate the importance of connections among 2,700 Ys in 10,000 communities across the United States. The YMCA of Reading & Berks County operates branches in Adamstown, Mifflin, Reading, Sinking Spring, and Tri Valley.
