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Image provided by: Long Island Library Resources Council
Long Beach Polar Bear Splash ago By Alexandra Spychalsky aspychalsky@Iiherald.com \Even if the Super Bowl gets changed, we are going in on Sunday,\ said Long Beach Polar Bear co-founder Pete Meyers,' referring to talk that extreme weather may cause the game to be rescheduled. \Rain shine, blizzard, polar vortex; we are a go no matter what. Some players were saying it's too cold to play in the Northeast, meanwhile we're swimming that day.\ The 15th annual Long Beach Polar Bears Super Bowl Splash — the highly anticipated event where thousands of par- ticipants charge into the icy Atlantic to raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation — is scheduled'to go off this Sunday afternoon. The beach will open at noon and the jump will be at 1:30 p.m. \Everyone has cabin fever, they just can't wait to get out on the beach and get in the water,\ Meyers said. \It's the first beach party of 2014.\ The unofficial splash began in 1998, when Kevin McCarthy and his friend Pete. Meyers decided to take a dip in the ocean on Super Bowl morning. As people found about what they did, more and more want- policenews ed to join. They decided to turn it into a fundraising event to benefit the Make-a- Wish Foundation, in honor of friend Mike Bradley's son Paulie, who had died of can- cer in 1997, at age 4. Paulie never got his wish, but the event has raised money to grant the wishes of hundreds of kids so far. Bradley's wife, Patti, passed away in 2009, and the event now honors her as well. This year will be somewhat of a return to normalcy for the event, which had a shadow cast over it by Hurricane Sandy last year. The boardwalk had been demol- ished, and the event' was moved from Riverside to Grand Boulevard. But, people came from all over to show-their support, not only for the Polar Bears and the Make- a-Wish Foundation, but also for the hun- dreds of Long Beach families that were still reeling and recovering from the storm. About 20,000 people were on the beach last year, and $650,000 was raised for Make-a-Wish. \Last' year, after the storm, we went down to kind of make peace with the ocean,\ Meyers said. \This year I think it will be a different feeling. A lot of people are back, the town's really coming along, so this will be a celebration of where we're at. There still are a lot of people not home, but we've come pretty far.\ The event has been moved back to Riverside Boulevard and the boardwalk is complete and ready for the thousands of people that will flood it come Sunday. All of the money raised from the Splash goes to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Metro New York. The organization grants the wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions, believing that a wish experi- ence can be a game-changer in the chil- dren's lives. \I can't emphasize enough how grate- ful we are,\ said Jay Patrick, vice president of development for Make-a-Wish Foundation of Metro New York. \All year we look forward to this day. It is truly The First Squad is investigating a rob- bery that occurred in Freeport on Saturday, January 25 at 8:50 am. According to detectives, a 59-year-old male victim was walking to his car that was parked on Weberfield Avenue when he was approached by two unknown men. One man is described as black, 5'9\ tall, 170 Lbs, green jacket, black hat, black ski mask punched the victim in the face. The second man is described as black, 5'9\ tall, black hat, black mask punched the victim several more times causing the victim to fall to the ground. Both men then removed a wallet that contained a credit card and an undisclosed amount of cash. Both men then fled' on foot north on Weberfield Avenue. The male victim was transported by ambulance and treated at a local hospi- tal for injuries to his face. No weapons were displayed. Detectives request that anyone with information regarding the above crime to contact the Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous. First Squad detectives are investigation an attempted robbery that occurred on January 25, at 6:35 p.m. in Freeport. •According to detectives, the 39-year-old man was walking westbound on Leonard , Avenue when he was approached by five black men who appeared from the bushes on the corner of Hope Place and Leonard. After demanding that he empty his pockets, the vic- tim, who ran eastbound on Leonard Avenue, was chased and caught near Rogers Avenue. One of the robbers then struck the victim in the face with a tree branch causing him to suf- fer a laceration. The robbers then fled the scene. The victim, who was transported to an area hospital, received stitches for his injury and was released. He described the robbers as being between the ages of 20-30 years old, 5'7\ to 6'3\ tall wearing all black. Detectives request anyone with informa- tion regarding this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous. unique, and it started from a very special place, from honoring Paulie.\ To date, the Long Beach Polar Bears have raised $3.7 million for the organiza- tion, which has helped fund wishes for hundreds of children. This will be a bench- mark year for the group, as they expect to surpass the $4 million mark. \The first year, we raised $7,000, and we thought that was amazing,\ Meyers said. \Now we're almost at $700,000. It's really gratifying for us to know that all the money raised goes to Make-a-Wish, which is really an unbelievable foundation.\ Patrick said that a number of \wish\ families should be on hand at the Splash, and that some \wish\ alumni often take the plunge as well. \There's an immediate impact of giv- ing them hope, strength and joy,\ Patrick said of the wishes kids receive. \But there's also the long-term impact of giving them the strength to fight through their ill- ness. And it also gives them time away from fighting their illness. It's a rare opportunity to just be with family and enjoy their time together instead of spend- ing time in the hospital and in treatment.\ Meyers said that, with the Super Bowl in New York this year, he thinks they will have a good turnout. And even if the weather doesn't warm up, Meyers isn't worried about it. \You never see anyone with a frown on, it's a really good energy,\ he said. Community Calendar Sponsored By Funeral Home • . , Serving.The Community For Over 50 Years Personalized Service For All Faiths At Any Hour Every Day ' NEW ONE LEVEL FACILITIES Freeport And Surrounding Area's Largest Chapel • New Handicapped Facilities 379-3119 110 PINE STREET, FREEPORT (CORNER SOUTH OCEAN AVENUE) KEVIN MOLESE . JERRY FRAYLER Friday, January 31 • ESOL, 9 a.m.; Talking about Literature, 12 p.m.; AA, 4:30 p.m.; OA, 5:30 p.m.; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, 6:30 p.m.; Juried Art Show, 7 p.m., Lunch & Travel_Western China, 12 p.m.; Celebrate Chinese New Year with Fried Rice and Egg Rolls, 3 p.m.; Singles discussion & support group, 7 p.m. at the Freeport Memorial Library • Friday evening supper for local families in need, 5:15 p.m., ETS'Youth Division, 87 Pine Street. Saturday, February 1 • Cedarmore Corp., 9 a.m.; Eye 2 Eye, 9:30 a.m.; Girl Scouts Troop, 10 a.m. at the Freeport Memorial Library Monday, February 3 • ESOL, 9 a.m.; Athena Club, 12 p.m.; AA, 4:30 p.m.; Chi Eta Phi Sorority, 7 p.m.; Toastmasters, 7 p.m.; Financial Literacy for First Time Homebuyers, 7 p.m.; Group Meditation, 7:30 p. m., Genealogy workshop, 3 p.m.; Financial Literacy for first time homebuyers, 7 p.m. at the Freeport Memorial Library. . • Freeport Village Hall Court in session, Judge Cacciatore presiding, 7 p.m., 40 North Ocean Avenue. Court watchers are welcome. Tuesday, February 4 • ESOL, 9 a.m.; Look, Listen & Learn: A Video Experience, 1 pm.; Audubon Society Board Meeting, 7 p.m.; Auto Racing on LI, Pt. 1 , 7 p.m.; DAR, 3:30 p.m.; at the Freeport Memorial Library. •Archbishop Molloy Council # 1974, Knights of Columbus, Our Holy Redeemer Church basement. 7:30 p.m. • Electrical Board 7:45 p.m. 220 West Sunrise Highway • Freeport Environmental Commission, 7 p.m. Recreation Center, 130 Merrick Road Wednesday, February 5 • ESOL,10 a.m.; Coda of Freeport, 12 p.m.; AA, 4:30 p.m.; Global Associates, 6 p.m.; Freeport Lions Club, 6:30 p.m.; Kiwanis, 7 p.m.; Soul With Heart, 7 p.m., Mature Drivers Course, 9:30 a.m. at the Freeport Memorial Library • Freeport Village Hall Court in session, Judge Cacciatore presiding, 7, p.m., 40 North Ocean Avenue. Court watchers are welcome. • Freeport Board of Education, Planning/ Action Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Atkinson School. Thursday, February 6 •ESOL, 9 a.m.; OA,4p.m.; CORE 4, 7 p.m.; Current Events in Perspective, 1 p.m.; Challenge your Assessment Forum, 7 p.m. Freeport Merrick Rotary, 7 p.m. at the Freeport Memorial Library.
