Now in its eleventh year, Vizo Financial’s 2024 Hot Dog Eating Contest featured a ’90s twist, an outpouring of support for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals and a grand total of $13,000 raised for Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pa. The contest took place on July 18, 2024, with 29 sponsors, ten contestants, one Miracle Family and three top prizes. 

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. 

During the contest, ten credit union employee contestants went head-to-head to see who could eat the greatest number of hot dogs in five minutes. 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; Viktor Spasic, Service 1st FCU; Israel Spence, Service 1st FCU; Matthew Weireter, Vizo Financial; and Kehgan Wolf, Belco Community CU. 

Three prizes were awarded during the contest:

• The Top Dog: This prize was awarded to Viktor Spasic, Service 1st FCU, for consuming 8.5 hot dogs in five minutes!

• Hot Diggity Dog: This prize was awarded to Kehgan Wolf, Belco Community CU, for showing the most spirit for the contest!

• Rollin' In The Dough: This prize was awarded to Keeley Hartman, Vizo Financial, for raising the most money – $1,546 – for Penn State Health Children’s Hospital!

“After more than a decade of hosting the Hot Dog Eating Contest, the hype that comes with it only continues to grow,” said Erin Doan, VP, administration for Vizo Financial. “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!”