Isaac Grover from the Hudson Rotary Club (the noon club) described the St. Croix River Dunk fundraiser and told us how easy it is to raise funds via this event. The River Dunk Fundraiser will be held on February 3, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Lakefront Park, Hudson. It is the same day as the Hudson Hot Air Balloon event. The river water temperature will be about 36 degrees.
The River Dunk Fundraiser started in 2018 with 12 teams raising $27,000. In 2023, fifteen teams raised $70,000. The goal for 2024 is to have 25 teams raise $100,000. Non-profit organizations sign up for the event and several people from that organization jump into the cold river water to earn funds from pledges. They jump into a 10 foot by 8 foot hole cut through the ice. There are ladders on the other side to help people climb out, and there are 2 guards in the shallow water to be sure everyone is safe. They also have an ambulance, EMT’s from the fire department, and a food truck that dispenses hot chocolate. They will require that the ice be 24 inches thick because of the weight it must carry during this event.
Isaac showed a list of past participating organizations such as the Hudson Hospital, First Baptist Church in Hudson, River Valley Charities, and YMCA Camp St. Croix. Isaac showed a video of people doing belly flops and back flips to enter the cold water.
Isaac ended his presentation by explaining how our Rotary club can get involved in the fundraiser. They provide all the computer assistance necessary for a successful fundraiser such as a separate webpage with a button to sign up for donations. Since the club has a foundation that is a 501(c) 3, the donations are tax deductible.
Isaac has been very active in Rotary. He was a founder of the St. Croix Valley Rotaract club in 2007; the club was chartered by our River Falls club. Following his Rotaract presidency, he has held District leadership positions as Assistant Governor and Tech Team member. As a member of the Hudson Rotary Club (noon club) since 2014, Isaac has been Membership Chair, Public Relations Chair, and is President Elect Nominee for 2025-26. He is a two-time Paul Harris Fellow and was Rotarian of the Year for 2016-17.
After growing up in Kansas and South Dakota, Isaac attended San Jose State University to study computer engineering. During the early 2000's, he managed data centers throughout Silicon Valley. Later he started a "side hustle" computer repair business in River Falls back in 2002 that has grown into the largest privately owned and managed IT provider in western Wisconsin.
Along with being a Rotarian, Isaac is also Board President for Junior Achievement in Hudson, an active volunteer and member of Trinity Lutheran Church as well as smaller volunteer roles throughout the year.
Isaac describes himself as first and foremost a husband and father to four children between 16 and 5. He notes that the family includes two Aussie Doodles "because life isn't crazy enough".