South Huntington's Silas Students Raise More Than $11K for Make-A-Wish

SOUTH HUNTINGTON, NY — More than 30 Silas Wood sixth-graders, along with their principal, Stephen Toto, and some of their teachers, jumped into the 58-degree waters off Long Beach on Feb. 11 to raise money for Make-A-Wish, the South Huntington School District announced.

The Silas Superstars team from Silas Wood 6th Grade Center in Huntington Station included their classmate, Michael Umstead, who is a Make-A-Wish kid waiting for his wish to be granted.

Michael, 11, was born with severe congenital heart defects (CHD). February is American Heart Month and Feb. 7 through 14 was CHD Awareness Week. This was the 5th Annual Silas Wood Polar Bear Plunge for the school team, and they’ve raised more than $11,000 in pledges.

"I just want the kids to be able to look at the bigger scope of just Silas and be able to help outside of the world of school," Toto said in a news release. "It's teaching kids how to be part of a bigger community and show compassion and empathy for kids that are going through a tough time. It makes it more special when one of our own Silas Superstars is a Make-A-Wish child."

The students’ plunge was part of the larger annual Super Bowl Splash that is hosted by the Long Beach Polar Bears. But the Silas Wood team of about 30 11-year olds, Toto, some teachers and family gathered earlier at 11 a.m. at the official plunge location and made their way down to the water for their less-crowded group splash around 11:45 a.m., cheered on by their school community just as they’ve done for five years now.

Michael Umstead was born in 2012 with Pulmonary Atresia, TGA (transposition of the great arteries) and a hole in his heart so large it cannot be repaired — all life-threatening congenital heart defects. He had open heart surgery at 5 days old, another at 6 months, and a third just before the age of 3. Those, plus other procedures, have left him with what doctors call a single ventricle heart.

Currently, the active Silas Wood 6th grade student plays travel soccer, travel lacrosse, basketball, and he wrestles. He is also waiting for his Make-A-Wish dream to come true: traveling to see his favorite European soccer team, Manchester City.

In addition to the teachable moments of the event, it’s also just about having fun. A polar bear plunge was something Toto always wanted to try, and he thought there was no better way to do it than with his Silas Wood family, he said.

"I always like to do things that get the kids involved. So raising money for a good cause and then doing something a little wild and crazy," Toto said. "It's that sense of family and community and school bonding that gives me the opportunity to be with the kids and the families and give them the chance to do something they may not be able to experience in other schools or places."