(Long Island, NY) With mid-day temperatures in the high 40’s, thousands of enthusiastic community members from Long Beach and beyond hit the waves on February 7 for the 17th annual Long Beach Polar Bear Super Bowl Splash, benefiting Make-A-Wish.
Polar Bears 2016. Photo Credit: Marisa Pugliese.
An estimated 20,000 people, many in sea-themed or super hero costumes, thronged the boardwalk and sands of Long Beach to cheer on the spirited swimmers, support this worthy cause and have fun. The event raised over $450,000 (with contributions still coming in) to grant the wishes of area children with life-threatening medical conditions. Since its inception as a fundraising event in 2000, the Long Beach Polar Bears Super Bowl Splash has raised over $5.2 million for Make-A-Wish.
Polar Bears 2016. Photo Credit: Katie Burnett Photography.
The February swim is held annually in honor of young Paulie Bradley, who passed away at age 4, in 1997, before his wish could be granted. The community-driven event has grown every year – a feat that would not have been possible without the enduring commitment of the original founding Long Beach Polar Bears – Pete and Barbara Meyers, Kevin and Judy McCarthy, and Mike and the late Patti Bradley, Paulie’s parents.
Polar Bears 2016. Photo Credit: Katie Burnett Photography.
“We are in awe of the Long Beach Polar Bears and the Long Beach community for their unwavering and joyful commitment to wish kids. More than 500 children in our area have had their wishes come true because of their generosity,” said Pat Clemency, President and CEO, Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York. “Their achievement in raising more than $5 million with this event is a testament to the extraordinary power of a community coming together. We cannot thank them enough.”
About Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York has fulfilled the wishes of more than 13,000 children, 11,000 of them residing in the Metro New York area. In Fiscal Year 2015, the chapter touched the lives of 876 wish children and their families by granting the wishes of 617 local children and facilitating 259 wish assists for children who reside in other areas, but whose wishes took place in New York. The chapter received the highest rating – 4 Stars – from Charity Navigator in April of 2015. For more information, please visit www.metrony.wish.org.
