New Year's Day Penguin Swim To Benefit Hospital

BERLIN - The beachfront of the Princess Royale Hotel on 91^st Street in Ocean City will be crowded once again with hundreds of Penguin Swim participants and spectators ready to cheer them on as the penguins plunge into the icy Atlantic on New Year's Day to raise money for their community hospital.

Everyone is invited to join a team - or form a new one - and take part in Atlantic General Hospital's 14th Annual Penguin Swim on Jan. 1. And, each is imparted with the challenge of making the event bigger and better than ever before.

The Atlantic General Hospital Foundation has a fun-filled event planned for Penguins who are willing to take a dip in the Atlantic and for all who want to cheer them on. Registration starts at noon on Jan. 1, 2008 in the Atrium at the Princess Royale, with the swim starting at 1 p.m.

Wonderful prizes will be awarded to the brave Penguins for getting wet for a good cause. Penguins raising $25 will have their choice of a drawstring cinch sack, beanie hat or mittens. Those who raise $75 will receive a silk-screened long sleeve T-shirt. Penguins who raise $150 will receive a silk-screened sweat shirt, and those who raise $250 will receive a beach chair with carrying bag or two beach towels.

First, second and third place trophies will be awarded to individual penguins who raise the most money as well as to teams of penguins who raise the most money. Special recognition will also be given to the youngest and oldest penguin.

All teams are encouraged to pre-register and contact the hospital's development office as soon as possible to receive team registration information and sponsorship packets.

The Princess Royale has opened its Atrium from noon to 2 p.m. to brave Penguins and their fans.

For more information or to receive a registration/sponsor form, call the development office at 410-641-9644 or e-mail dbrinker@atlanticgeneral.org.