GREENSBORO, N.C.–A “wiener” has been named in a contest for the top hot dog eater in America’s credit union community.
Officially recognized as the “Top Dog” is Viktor Spasic of Service 1st FCU in Danville, Penn., who consumed 8.5 hot dogs in five minutes as part of Vizo Financial’s 2024 Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Now in its 11th year, the contest raised $13,000 for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals and a grand total of $13,000 raised for Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Penn., a Children’s Miracle Network hospital.
The contest included 29 sponsors, 10 contestants, one Miracle Family and three top prizes.
In addition to Spasic, the contestants included: Jennifer Cleaver, Hershey FCU; Keeley Hartman, Vizo Financial; Jee Lesangre, Hershey FCU; Melissa Massey, Hershey FCU; Corey Mosby, Blue Chip FCU; Sandy Shenk, Utilities Employees CU; Israel Spence, Service 1st FCU; Matthew Weireter, Vizo Financial; and Kehgan Wolf, Belco Community CU.
Other Wieners
Other award winners included:
- Hot Diggity Dog: To Kehgan Wolf for showing the most spirit for the contest.
- Rollin' In The Dough: To Keeley Hartman, for raising the most money – $1,546 – for Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.
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, Jake Petrone, and his mom, Kari Anne Petrone, 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 during their many stays at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.
‘All That, And…’
“After more than a decade of hosting the Hot Dog Eating Contest, the hype that comes with it only continues to grow,” Erin Doan, VP, administration for Vizo Financial, said in a statement. “Beyond the fun and excitement of the contest, the credit union camaraderie and the unique ability we have to provide an outlet for support and awareness of CMN Hospitals is incredibly rewarding. We’re very proud of the success of the contest and this year was no exception – in fact, we think it was all that and a bunch of hot dogs.”
The Sponsors
The contest was sponsored by 29 credit unions, CUSOs and others through the purchase of this year’s Ultimate Dog, All the Fixin’s and Frankfurter sponsorships. The sponsors included:
- 1st Ed Credit Union
- Belco Community CU
- BHCU Kids Foundation
- Blue Chip FCU
- Carolinas Credit Union Foundation
- CU*Answers
- CU Business Group LLC
- Feather CU Services LLC
- First Capital FCU
- Greenville FCU
- InterLutions
- Lanco FCU
- Lebanon FCU
- MC FCU
- MD|DC Credit Union Association
- Members 1st FCU
- Merck Sharp & Dohme FCU
- Mon Valley Community FCU
- MY CU Services LLC
- New Cumberland FCU
- PSECU
- Riverfront FCU
- Service 1st FCU
- Shuford FCU
- Susquehanna Valley FCU
- Utilities Employees CU
- Virginia Credit Union League
- Vizo Financial
- Wheatland FCU
A recording of the Hot Dog Eating Contest is now available on Vizo Financial’s YouTube channel.