Grumpy Plunge

And that is a Wrap!

The 2024 Grumpy Plunge is in the books. There were an estimated 1500+ enthusiasts in attendance, not just during the plunge, but throughout the day! There were 66 courageous plungers who took the leap into the cold Mississippi River in support of Great River Homes, Inc. and the Wabasha Rotary. 

A special shoutout to the Olmstead County Dive Team Mark Murch and Tim Swanberg, Wabasha Ambulance Crew, and Wabasha City Police for keeping all the plungers and spectators safe. 

We had a Beautiful (odd for Minnesota) Day with the temperature at 42 degrees with no snow and very little ice. 

The events emcee Jake Peterson of Farmers Insurance and DJ Mike Halverson from West Central Entertainment were phenomenal and kept the crowd engaged.

This fundraiser could not have been possible without the support of our inclusive community minded sponsors. 

Platinum Sponsors 

 Riverboat Lanes and Junge’s Flooring

Gold Sponsors:

Foresight Bank, James Anhorn State Farm, Midco D & D Underground, Turning Waters B&B, Wabasha Dentistry, Wabasha Kellogg Chamber of Commerce, Wabasha Rubbish Removal, WNB-Financial, MVP Energy, All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, Ben Nauman State Farm, California Overland

Sliver Sponsors:

Perry Dental, William Sims Tax & Bookkeeping, Bank of Alma, Farmers Insurance Jacob Peterson Agency, Heritage Laundromat 

Bronze Sponsors: Edward Jones – Julie Leichtnam, Jewson Realty, LLC, Kellogg Lions Club, Mittel Schule, Inc., Valley Publications, Inc., Wabasha Auto Body

In-kind Donations were received by:

Interstate Building Supply, Quality Propane, Ameri-Pride Flooring Solutions, AmericInn of Wabasha, Mr. and Mrs. David Konkel

Banner Signage Supporters:

Paul Busch Auto, Handy Mart of Wabasha, Wabasha’s Dairy Queen, Drysdale Farm Willard, Nora, and Chelsey Drysdale, Paul and Brenda Logan

Website Design

Brad Burmeister, Jill Reimers, Lauren Budahn, Jessica Graner, Kelly Moore

The Grumpy Plunge Committee 

Brian Fries Chair, Cari McCann Vice Chair, Brenda Pearson, Jackie Heins, Sandra Swan, Jessica Graner, Kathy Geraghty, Riley Costello, Courtney Schaefer, Sharon Burke, Pete Quade, Sheila Nelson, Vicki Richmond, Nicki Murray, Lori Learmont, Jerry McMillin, Nicki Hellickson-Carothers, Jody Wendt 

Basket Donations: Kathy Geraghty, Shary Meurer, Bussian Family, Nelson Family, Bruce and Judy Barton, Hills Hardware, Kelly Heska, Olde Triangle pub, Grumpy Woman, Tammy McMahan, Twin Bluffs Bar, Xtreme Image Hair Salon, Valley Dog Grooming, Round the Clock Nutrition. Napa of Lake City, Julie Hagedorn

Volunteers: Jim O’Reilly Jerry McMillin, Rob Venz, Pete Quade, Marshall Jackson, Jim Miller, Julie Leichtnam, Josh Wendt, Nicki Hellickson-Carothers, Brian Fries, Jerry McMillin, Linda McMillin, Mark Murch, Steve Swan, April Hager, Sarah Venz, MJ Bussian, Mackenzie Meixner, Donna Decaro, Rick Janka, Wendy Cockrell, Jessica Graner, Sandy Swan, Rob Venz, Dennis Bussian, Jackie Heins, Tanner Linde, Justus Doese, Jake Peterson, Sharon Burke, Grissel Anhorn, Vicki Richmond, Jerry Fahnel, Klara Fahnel, Cheryl Alden, Sarah Venz, MJ Bussian, Ma Jackson, James Anhorn, Kay Jensen Kay, Steve Wein, Mellissa Powell, Emily Alden, Christina Peyla,

Thank you to Gundersen St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Clinics Axillary for the use of their buckets for the raffle. 

Great River Homes, Inc. team members and volunteers work countless hours behind the scenes to make this fundraiser better each year.  Their hard work and dedication are what makes this a positive safe experience for all who support and participate in this fundraiser.  The amazing volunteers from the Wabasha Rotary, Great River Homes, Inc. Board of Directors, significant others and friends have been instrumental lending a hand wherever needed for this fundraiser to be pulled off. We cannot thank them enough for the support, time, and talents they give us from start to finish. 

Those who donated items for the raffle baskets, a raffle basket, or standalone item(s) to be raffled off gave this plunge the sparkle it needed to be as successful as it was. Congratulations to all the raffle basket winners, we are confident you were not disappointed with your winnings.

Supportive patrons and spectators gave plungers the energy they needed to do what they committed to doing, plunge into the Mighty Mississippi. Without those cheers of encouragement behind them there may have been many who would have turned a cheek and left.  This whole fundraising event is themed off of the brave souls willing to experience the breath-taking adventure plunging into the frigid Mississippi River provides each year on the last Saturday of February in Wabasha, MN.  The plungers are truly MN nice, however, when they emerge from the water, they really feel like MN ice. Their exhibitionist spirit in support of the two Non-Profits they raise pledges for and plunge on behalf of is nothing short of AMAZING! 

Ones tongue cannot speak enough words of thanks for the support given to Great River Homes, Inc. and the Wabasha Rotary Club, this backing allows us to serve members of our communities in meaningful ways even in the toughest of times.