Rockville Centre resident among Polar Bears who took the plunge

Before Sunday’s Super Bowl game kicked off, thousands took to the beach at Riverside Boulevard to help raise money for the 12th Annual Long Beach Polar Bears Super Bowl Splash, benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York, held in honor of Paulie Bradley, who died at the age of four in 1997 before being able to receive his wish. In total, an estimated 6,000 brave souls, including a significant number from Rockville Centre went into the water, and overall, an estimated 12,000 people attended the event.

Patricia Clemency, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York, described the event as a “compelling mission.” “It gets bigger every year,” said Clemency. “Our hope is to renew the spirits of children while doctors take care of them.”

Since its inception, the Super Bowl Splash has raised more than $2 million, helping to make hundreds of wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions come true. Last year, approximately 5,000 people braved the frigid water and helped to raise more than $580,000.