The Long Beach Polar Bears will switch out their Super Bowl jerseys for emerald green on Sunday when the annual Polar Bear Splash takes place on March 15. The event raises money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions — in honor of Paulie Bradley.
Now in its 26th year, the tradition started on Super Bowl Sunday in 1998 when Pete Meyers and Kevin McCarthy, Polar Bear co-founders, took a dip to celebrate McCarthy’s 40th birthday. “We were just going in on a whim. It was for fun,” Meyers said.
In 1999, Mike Bradley, Paulie’s father, and P.J. Bradley, Paulie’s uncle, approached the pair following Paulie Bradley’s death in November of 1997. They proposed the idea of turning the event into a Make-A-Wish fundraiser — the organization that wanted to fulfill Paulie’s wish of seeing his brother, Christian Miller, in Puerto Rico.
Known for his joy and spirit, the young Bradley was well known on the Monroe Boulevard beach. He aspired to become a lifeguard and could often be seen riding his boogie board. Bradley was diagnosed with leukemia in March 1997. After undergoing eight months of treatment at Northwell Health’s oncology department in Manhasset, he died Nov. 16 at just 4 years old.
“It’s a celebration of my son’s life,” Mike Bradley said.
Since 2000, the Polar Bears have raised over $11 million. In their first year, they raised $75,000, which helped grant a child’s wish. McCarthy said helping children with life-threatening illnesses while honoring Paulie Bradley’s legacy motivates him to continue the organization’s mission.
“If you can help grant a young child’s wish, it helps the kids and their parents during their time of need,” McCarthy said. “It’s very motivating.”
Initially scheduled for Feb. 8, the splash was postponed to March 15 after nearly a foot of snow and extended subfreezing temperatures forced Meyers to adjust. “It was minus-14 degrees with the wind chill,” he said. “Keeping people outside would have been too dangerous.”
This year’s festivities will begin at 10 a.m. at the Riverside Boulevard beach access, where participants can register and purchase merchandise. The splash will begin at 1 p.m. All participants and spectators are required to complete a waiver to gain beach access during the event.
In a statement from Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York, President and CEO John Healey said they were thrilled to be splashing again. They thanked the Long Beach community for their commitment to the cause. “The Long Beach Polar Bear Splash helps bring hope and a belief in a better tomorrow to kids in our community battling critical illnesses,” Healey’s statement read. “We’re incredibly grateful.”
Mike Bradley, who was 41 when his son died, said that Make-A-Wish gives children and families an opportunity to heal during tumultuous times. “It’s an opportunity for families to dream about a positive future,” he said. “It brings relief and joy. It gives them hope.”
