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5-year-old Marty Ovila leaps out of the frigid waters of Lake Tahoe Saturday afternoon during a fundraiser for Tahoe Youth and Family Services.
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Starbucks employee Sammy Shabib dries off after taking the Barista Bath Saturday in a fundraiser for Tahoe Youth and Family Services.
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Starbucks employee Cait Thornburg walks out of Lake Tahoe Saturday during a fundraiser for Tahoe Youth and Family Services. Participants from the fundraiser were employees, family and friends of South Lake Tahoe Starbucks.
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LAKE TAHOE — Starbucks employees from South Lake Tahoe took a plunge into the chilly waters of Lake Tahoe on Saturday in a fundraiser for Tahoe Youth and Family Services.
The first “Barista Bath” raised $370 for the south shore nonprofit organization that promotes the healthy development of the children, youth, and families in the South Lake Tahoe community.
More than 10 employees shed their clothes down to bathing suits and walked off the shore of Regan Beach, enduring the cold February sting of Lake Tahoe’s crystal waters; only to walk back to shore and the parking lot to sip on hot Starbucks coffee.
The first “Barista Bath” raised $370 for the south shore nonprofit organization that promotes the healthy development of the children, youth, and families in the South Lake Tahoe community.
More than 10 employees shed their clothes down to bathing suits and walked off the shore of Regan Beach, enduring the cold February sting of Lake Tahoe’s crystal waters; only to walk back to shore and the parking lot to sip on hot Starbucks coffee.
To psych herself up and warm her blood before the plunge, Cait Thornburg of South Lake Tahoe took to a Hula Hoop to drum up her will to walk into the water.
“It’s cold, but I’m from Wisconsin so it’s not so bad,” said Thornburg, who was dressed in an orange and black leotard and walked about 150 yards out into knee deep water before dropping into full submersion.
As it turns out, the water level at Regan Beach remains low and many had to venture more than 200 yards to even get waist-deep. The walk out added time in the water, which, the longer those remained in, the colder they became.
“It’s a blast of cold for a good cause,” said Michelle George, a Starbucks supervisor.
Meanwhile, Starbucks Barista Sammy Shabib, 20, called the experience “numbing” but couldn’t quite get his toes out of the water once he came back to the shoreline.
“The further you go, the colder it gets,” he said, turning to his girlfriend, Maddelyn Tran for beach towel and a hug.
“It’s cold, but I’m from Wisconsin so it’s not so bad,” said Thornburg, who was dressed in an orange and black leotard and walked about 150 yards out into knee deep water before dropping into full submersion.
As it turns out, the water level at Regan Beach remains low and many had to venture more than 200 yards to even get waist-deep. The walk out added time in the water, which, the longer those remained in, the colder they became.
“It’s a blast of cold for a good cause,” said Michelle George, a Starbucks supervisor.
Meanwhile, Starbucks Barista Sammy Shabib, 20, called the experience “numbing” but couldn’t quite get his toes out of the water once he came back to the shoreline.
“The further you go, the colder it gets,” he said, turning to his girlfriend, Maddelyn Tran for beach towel and a hug.
Starbucks store manager Cathy Mauzey, who coordinated the event said the fundraiser was a great team-building experience and way Starbucks can give to Tahoe Youth and Family Services. It is the second such fundraiser between the coffee chain and the nonprofit organization. In December Starbucks raised money for TYFS Angel Tree campaign.
“We’ve had our challenges as has everyone because of the economy, but it is something like this through Starbucks that really helps us,” said Heather Avila, WRAP counselor for Tahoe Youth and Family Services. “Every donation, every fundraiser makes a difference.” Starbucks employee Tanya Gludau made the plunge as well with her boyfriend Neil Peerens both of South Lake Tahoe.
“It’s definitely cold, but I’m always up for the challenge,” Gludau said. As a side note, Gludau was featured in the Tahoe Daily Tribune nearly a year ago after losing her right arm and breast to necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating virus infection.
Click here to read more about Gludau's story.
Other Barista Bath participants included Gregg Noonberg, Paula White, and Heather Ovila’s son, 5-year-old Marty Ovila, the youngest participant.
