Vizo Financial hosted its ninth annual Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 20, 2022. There were 29 sponsors, eight contestants, three prizes and a total of $16,263 raised for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pa.
The contest was held via Zoom and began with a few words from CMN Hospitals’ representative, Erika Zaborny-Myers. Also joining the contest was Miracle Child, Xander, and his mom, Val Hester, to speak about the support they receive from CMN Hospitals, as well as how the donations made to CMN Hospitals have provided their family with extra comfort in the form of small things – like flavored ChapStick during procedures – when they needed it the most.
Eight contestants from various credit unions went head-to-head to see who could eat the greatest number of hot dogs in five minutes. The contestants included: Martin Avila, Hershey FCU; Jay Edmiston, Timberland FCU; Lance Fogelman, Service 1st FCU; Jeffrey Krenitsky, Service 1st FCU; Jae Mikalik, Vizo Financial; Corey Mosby, Blue Chip FCU; Paul Roby, Belco Community CU; and Logan Troutman, Belco Community CU.
Three prizes were awarded during the contest:
- The Top Dog: This prize was awarded to both Jeffrey Krenitsky, Service 1st FCU, and Logan Troutman, Belco Community CU, for consuming eight hot dogs in five minutes!
- Hot Diggity Dog: This prize was awarded to Jay Edmiston, Timberland FCU, for showing the most spirit for the contest, which included a hot dog suit and Zoom background!
- Rollin' In The Dough: This prize was also awarded to Jay Edmiston, Timberland FCU, for raising the most money – $10,500 – for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital!
“We are absolutely thrilled with this year’s record-breaking Hot Dog Eating Contest,” said Erin Doan, diversity, equity and inclusion director for Vizo Financial. “We exceeded our fundraising goal of $10,500 and are all so thankful to everyone who made this year’s Hot Dog Eating Contest a success.”
Timberland FCU involved the communities surrounding their four locations by hosting an event with raffles, dunk tanks and hot dogs to help raise money for the event. In total, they raised $10,500 for this year’s contest. Contestant Jae Mikalik also fundraised and donated $1,120 to the contest!
Erin Doan