More than $36,000 raised for community causes at 2022 Winter Blast
Winter Blast Royal Oak isn’t just a great event to enjoy some outdoor fun and entertainment with family and friends, it’s also a great opportunity to support community organizations and businesses.
Drawing roughly 80,000 visitors to downtown Royal Oak last year, Winter Blast raised more than $36,000 for community organizations and causes in 2022.
“We would like to thank Oakland County and Royal Oak city officials for helping us pave the way to another successful Winter Blast,” said festival producer Jon Witz of the annual event, set for Feb. 17-19 this year. “Royal Oak citizens and visitors from all over metro Detroit responded well to the festival and played a huge part in supporting our community causes, which is reflected in our numbers.”
Thanks to event-goers who braved jumping into a pool of freezing cold water as fundraising participants of the Winter Blast Polar Plunge, the festival raised $22,900 for Special Olympics Michigan — a total that surpassed the previous Winter Blast record by nearly triple the dollar amount, according to organizers.
Money raised at last year’s plunge, sponsored by the Royal Oak law firm Howard & Howard, helped to fund year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
“We’re pleased and proud that we were able to be part of the first Winter Blast
in Royal Oak,” said Howard & Howard Chairman Patrick McCarthy of last year’s event. “Many of our employees, their families and friends stepped-up and generously pledged support for the Special Olympics of Michigan. It was a fun and successful event, and we look forward to participating in future Winter Blasts.”
Howard & Howard, along with the Royal Oak Police Department, were the top two fundraising teams from the plunge, raising $7,054 and $7,657 respectively, and each surpassing their $5,000 fundraising goal. Howard & Howard also donated an additional $2,500 to the Special Olympics of Michigan through
its Community Reinvestment Fund, according to a news release from the law firm.
Last year’s event also raised $3,000 for United Way, with a portion of ticket sales from the popular 34 feet high, 300 feet long zip line donated to the nonprofit’s 2-1-1 program — a 24/7 crisis hotline that connects local families to resources of need. Local thrill seekers will be happy to know that the zip line will return at this year’s event, presented by Baker College and located on Third Street just east of Troy.
Lastly, proceeds of $10,700 generated from beverage sales at Winter Blast Royal Oak went toward supporting local community organizations in 2022, according to organizers.
Sponsors of last year’s event, most of which will be returning as sponsors at the upcoming Winter Blast, include Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort (presenting sponsor), Allied Marketing, Baker College, City of Royal Oak, City of Royal Oak DDA, Detroit News, DTE Energy, Faygo, Henry Ford Health System, Hotel Royal Oak, House of Dank, Howard & Howard, Huntington Bank, Imperial Beverage, Makers Mark, M3 Investments, Oakland County, Rasor Law Firm, Tequila Blue, The Morrie, Tito’s Vodka, United Way and US Park.
For more information about Winter Blast Royal Oak and ways to give back to community organizations at this year’s event, visit winterblast.com or call 248-541-7550.