Polar Bears take the plunge

As Sue Hoeffner, a Stony Brook resident, prepared to take an icy plunge in the Atlantic in the Long Beach Polar Bears’ Super Bowl Splash, she lined up on the beach with thousands of others who braved the frigid temperatures for an important cause. And though this marked her third time participating in the event, Hoeffner said that the experience was still just as special and invigorating.

“It’s a great thing they do,” she said after she walked out of the water. “I savored every minute of it. It gives you a rush.”

Hoeffner was one of thousands who took to the beach at Riverside Boulevard last Sunday to raise money for the 12th annual Splash, which benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The event honors Paulie Bradley of Island Park, who died of cancer at age 4 in 1997. An estimated 6,000 participants went into the water, and overall, an estimated 12,000 people attended the event. As of Monday, more than $245,000 had been raised online.

Since its inception, the Polar Bear Splash has raised more than $2 million and helped make hundreds of wishes come true for children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. Last year, some 5,000 people braved the frigid water, helping to raise more than $580,000. This year, organizers said, they hoped to top last year’s total.

Some of the participants sported flags and festive hats, while others who crowded the snowy beach dressed more practically, in heavy layers. A section of the boardwalk was adorned with American flags, on a day that turned out to be sunny, with almost spring-like temperatures.

“I came out today for friends and for a wonderful event,” said Sean McNicholas, 24, a Levittown resident who dashed into the water three times. “It was cold. But when you’re in that much of a rush, when you have that much adrenaline, it kick-starts you, and you want to go back [in].”