Farmingdale Residents Take the Plunge for Charity

I am excited to spotlight neighbors who make us proud to live in this wonderful community.  I hope you enjoy my new blog, Daler Pride, featuring wonderful role models living within our neighborhood.

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 The Long Beach Polar Bear Club celebrated its annual Super Bowl Sunday Plunge this past weekend.  The event honors the memory of Paulie Bradley, a boy who passed away in November 1997, and raises money for Make a Wish Metro New York and Make a Wish Western New York.  In the past 13 years, this charity has raised four-million dollars.

On February 2, 2014, thousands of people gathered in Long Beach to swim in 35-degree water for the charity event.  After weeks of hearing complaints about the cold, snowy winter on Long Island, I could not image anyone stripping down to a bathing suit and jumping in frigid water.   When I learned that several Farmingdale residents took the “plunge”, I could not wait to discuss the event. 

I caught up with Farmingdale High School student Kieran DeMaria, who followed in the footsteps of her Long Beach friends and participated in the Super Bowl plunge this year.  She arrived to the event wearing a two-piece bathing suit beneath her sweats and a huge smile on her face.  Although the cold water made her legs and feet feel as though they were on fire, the short time of discomfort on her part helped wishes come true for terminally ill children and their families.  Helping others delighted her.

There have been days this winter that I found it difficult warming up inside my house, I cannot imagine how long it took to warm up after an outdoor swim on a cold, winter day.  Here is what this intrepid young woman had to say when I asked her: “It didn't take as long as I thought it would to warm up; about 10 minutes. It was warm (46 degrees and not windy). I would say once I got my sweats on I was ok.”    Kelly DeMaria, Kieran’s mom, shared before-and-after photos of Kieran.  The beautiful smile never left her face.

I also spoke with Joan Savery of Farmingdale, who can cross the polar-bear plunge off her bucket list.  She took part in the event along with her sons, James and Steven, and several of their friends. Joan ran into the ice-cold ocean and mustered the strength to stay in the water for five minutes.  “[You] could feel the excitement and fun in the air,” she told me.  “Many of the regulars wore costumes and groups of people had themes, like Vikings,”

Joan compared swimming in the icy water to knives piercing her skin.  The chill took her breath away; nevertheless, she didn’t want to leave the ocean. “You felt terrific, especially because you helped Make a Wish Foundation.”  Sharing the experience with her sons was an added bonus.

Joan and Kieran plan to take “the plunge” again next year.  From what I hear, Kieran may have company.  Her mom and sister hope to join her.  I congratulate all the wonderful people who participated in the Super Bowl Sunday Polar Bear Plunge in Long Beach. 

Kieran and Joan, I hope the Daler Pride spotlight keeps you warm. 

My heroes of the week:  Kieran DeMaria, Joan Savery, her son’s James and Steven, the Lady Dalers swim team and all the Super Bowl Sunday Polar Bear swimmers!

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Know someone who strives to make Farmingdale great?  Contact me with their story.  Katie McKnight at www.katie-mcknight-author.com or through Facebook: www.facebook.com/katiemcknightauthorpage.   If you wish to spotlight a child, I must have permission from their parents/guardians.