OKOBOJI— Each year, locals and tourists head to the frozen lakes to celebrate Winter Games, a unique weekend full of wintery festivities. At this year’s 42nd annual Winter Games, Parks Marina beat many of its charitable records, with the Battle of the Bartenders event, held Jan. 27, raising over $18,500 in one hour alone– doubling the amount raised in 2020.
“We were blown away by the outpouring of support this year,” Debbie Parks, Marina District director of marketing, said. “It’s an event that continues to bring us together as a community and supports great causes at the same time.”
Attracting over 20 bars and restaurants and thousands of attendees at Parks Marina, the Battle of the Bartenders pitted the area’s best mixologists in a head-to-head, best drink competition. Attendees were encouraged to sample the cocktail creations and tip for their favorites.
The Marina was proud to present 3 checks to charities and causes selected by the winning teams— The Hutt Bar and Grill in Arnolds Park in first place, Johnny’s Pub of Lake Park in second and The Ritz in Okoboji in third — who split the total amount raised. Fifty percent of the proceeds went to the Plueger Family, 30 percent to Awakening Grace in Spencer, Iowa, and 20 percent to The CASA Women’s Shelter. Over $50,000 has been given to selected charities since the event began in 2013.
Other Winter Games fundraising activities at Parks Marina, the Barefoot Bar, the Gardens and Okoboji Boat Works were nothing short of successful, with over $3,000 going to charities and organizations, amounts varying. Selections this year include the University of Iowa Stead Children’s Hospital, the Pure Fishing Foundation, Lakes Community Animal Welfare, Hope Rolls and the Northwest Iowa Humane Society.
While Winter Games is one of its largest charity events, opportunities for giving are year-round at the Marina.
“We make it a priority to host multiple fundraising initiatives throughout the year as well as support most gift requests we receive,” Parks said.
In October, Parks Marina announced a donation to the Spencer Hospital Abben Cancer Center in Spencer, Iowa as part of its doubled-up fundraising effort between the sales of a limited edition Barefoot Bar t-shirt and a featured “Booby Drink” at Snappers Turtle Bay Cafe. With the combined proceeds of these sales plus a generous donation of $2,500 from Titos, Parks was able to donate $3,300.
Two months later, the Marina wrapped up its much-anticipated Boatload of Toys fundraising event, which has since 2008 accumulated over $45,000 worth of toys donated to families during the holiday season. Beginning in November every year, Parks encourages community members to bring in new, unwrapped toys to Marina District locations, all of which are distributed through Upper Des Moines Opportunity (UDMO) as Christmas gifts. This year, Parks received over $4,700 in donated toys.
In addition to event-focused fundraising, Parks Marina pledged $12,500 to the Bedell Family YMCA, which was generously matched plus an additional $1,933 by Bill and Kristin Fenech, Barletta Pontoon founders, resulting in $26,933 as a total donation.
To stay updated on future fundraising efforts, go to Parks Marina’s Facebook Page. To learn more about how you can contribute to future events, email marketing@parksmarina.com.
