‘Special guest’ to join reporters in freezing cold Allegheny River for Parker Polar Plunge
A “special guest” has agreed to join six Butler Eagle staff members this New Year’s Day for a dip in the icy Allegheny River.
If eight more people subscribe to the Butler Eagle for as little as $8 this month prior to midnight on New Year’s Day, Jordan Grady – president of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce — will participate in the Parker Polar Plunge.
While Grady was “definitely a little nervous” about jumping in the frozen river, he said he wanted to support local journalism. Those who subscribe help keep local news in the hands of our community.
“I’m very community-minded — I really like being involved in helping when and where I can,” he said. “And from the chamber’s standpoint, community is at the heart of our mission.”
Grady will jump as a “special guest” with the Butler Eagle if we can reach 20 new subscribers by the time the ball drops on New Year’s Day. As of Friday, Dec. 29, the new subscriber count stands at 12 total.
He said he hoped to wear his iconic bow-tie and suit for the dip.
The plunge is organized by the Polar Bear Club, a nonprofit that supports local families in need, the Parker Volunteer Fire Department and other charitable organizations. The Butler Eagle will support the cause to send each volunteer into the river.
As such, Grady said he was excited to support the nonprofit, recognizing the “utmost importance” of supporting first responders like the Parker Volunteer Fire Department — as well as local families through the winter season.
“Especially when you consider you only have to jump into a body of water, it’s a no-brainer to help out,” he said.
According to Grady, the chamber’s community partnership with the Butler Eagle also played a key role in his decision to jump.
“We’ve built our foundation on community involvement and community development,” he said, “so this seems like a win-win, win-win.”
There are still three days left to subscribe to the Butler Eagle and help dunk your favorite reporter, editor or employee as part of the Parker Polar Plunge.
With 10 new subscribers as of Thursday, staff writer Eddie Trizzino has met his goal to jump in on New Year’s Day at 2 p.m. Watch him jump live on the Butler Eagle’s Facebook page.
If we can reach 100 new subscribers by midnight on New Year’s Day, six total staff members and Grady will take the plunge — donating $175 total to the nonprofit.
The jump-ees are tiered and will sign up to jump Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. if you can help us reach their New Year’s goals:
- Austin Uram, Cranberry Eagle staff writer, will jump for 15 new subscribers — making him just three subscribers shy of his goal.
- Jordan Grady, president of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, will jump for 20 new subscribers — meaning he needs just eight more subscribers to meet his goal.
- Laura Crago, Butler Eagle video/podcast producer, and Mikayla Torrence, social media specialist, will jump for 50 new subscribers.
- Tracy Leturgey, Butler Eagle assignment editor, and Joe Genco, copy desk chief, will take the plunge for 100 new subscribers.
Four other V.I.P. staff members have agreed to join in the frigid fun for 1,000 new subscriptions.
Paula Grubbs, Butler Eagle community editor, will dip her toe in for 1,000 new subscribers. Staff writers, Molly Miller and Steve Cukovich, and web developer Rebecka Leasure will also participate for 1,000 new subscriptions.
Celebrate more than 150 years of Butler County news when you sign up today — and help keep local news in the hands of our community! Digital subscriptions start at $8 per month, or buy a print subscription for $16 a month — roughly 60 cents per paper.
Follow the Butler Eagle’s Facebook page to watch the jump live on Jan. 1 at 2 p.m.
Visit butlereagle.com and click the gray “subscribe” button to sign up or call 724-282-8000 ext. 300.
