Meet Mr. Frosty: An 18-foot snowman inspiring a Cedar Grove tradition while benefitting Wisconsin's Children's Hospital

 

CEDAR GROVE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin's winters can be cold and wet, but it's not enough to stop some families from spending time outdoors.

While others choose to ski down mountains or make snow angels at their local park, one Cedar Grove neighborhood decided to embrace the slush -- and take it to new heights.

"It was totally a challenge. Everybody said there's no way you can do it," said resident Jon Voskuil. "All the neighbors were busy getting the snow out of their yard and I was busy hauling snow into my yard."

That challenge? To build a snowman.

But not just your typical sculpture.

“I started about noon that day when the snow was coming down, building the base with my tractor," Voskuil told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White. "A neighbor over there told me I wasn't wired right."

The chilly creation took several large pieces of machinery, manpower from others living nearby, and nearly 60 hours to finish.

The final result?

An 18-foot-tall, ice-packed behemoth named Mr. Frosty that now towers above the houses.

"He's definitely a celebrity for sure," Voskuil said. "We went all in."

Mr. Frosty doesn't have a corn cob pipe or a button nose.

Instead, the latter is made from a bright orange parking cone. And his matching top hat? It's actually a full-sized garbage can with plywood around the base.

"So as far as the buttons and mouth and stuff, we just went to the shop and cut out a bunch of wood and spray painted it," Voskuil said. "We went to JOANN Fabrics and got 12 feet of fabric for the scarf, and it only made it around to the front, so we had to cut up a blanket I had in the house to finish it off because we didn’t have enough."

One of the neighbors who helped Voskuil is Nate Altheimer, who refers to himself as an "amateur snowman builder."

"[Voskuil] was like hey, what's your thoughts on building a snowman? I said I'm all in," Altheimer recalled. "I have kids that are older, and I have some that are younger so it’s good. The older ones are like, yeah that’s good Dad, but the younger ones are like that’s great! So, they’re super excited.”

Mr. Frosty quickly began drawing attention from the area, with "10 to 20" cars driving by to see the spectacle each night.

“Somebody sent me a Facebook message saying, you do realize you’re going to be mowing your lawn around that thing, right?” Voskuil said.

And that begged the question -- when WOULD Mr. Frosty melt?

That's why the two decided to turn a guessing game into a giving game benefitting Children's Wisconsin.

"We were amazed and excited," said Christine Baranoucky, the vice president of engagement and stewardship for the hospital's foundation. "We were founded nearly 130 years ago by the community and people like the Voskuil family, they’re giving back in ways that nearly 100 different families give back and they do things like a lemonade stand to a big gala, and some build an 18-foot snowman!"

You have until noon on Feb. 29 to enter. It costs $10 dollars and all you have to do is pick the exact date Mr. Frosty will be completely melted.

"The snowman will be checked every day at 6:00 p.m. When the snowman is completely melted at that 6:00 p.m. time, that date will be the winning day," a statement said. "If more than one person chooses the same date those names will be drawn at random to select the winners. Guessing too late is a "bust" - if no one selects the correct melting day, we will go back to the nearest prior date. For example: If the snowman melts on 3/1 and you choose 3/2 you are out."

All proceeds raised from entries and other optional donations will go toward the foundation.

The top three winners will receive cash, with a grand prize of $2,000 dollars thanks to sponsors from local businesses.

“We can use our somewhat skills to create something that’s going to bring a lot of joy and happiness to the kids and raise some money for kids that aren’t as fortunate, so I think that’s super important," Altheimer said. “I hope that they get to see this and that it brings a smile to their face and brightens their day.”

To enter the fundraiser, click here.

You can see the snowman for yourself at 1111 S. 2nd St. in Cedar Grove but officials are asking you to stay on the sidewalk when viewing.

If anyone tampers with the snowman, they will be disqualified.