Empire Casino Will Host Ice Bucket Challenge With Special Guests

YONKERS, NY — No matter the forecast, those gathered at the Empire City Casino racetrack will be briefly cold and wet on Sunday.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is returning to Yonkers where it all started. Hundreds of participants will be soaking their heads for a good cause, starting at 1 p.m. on August 1. The family of the late Yonkers native Pat Quinn will host the event where hundreds of participants simultaneously pour buckets of freezing cold ice water over their heads to raise money for ALS research.

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The Yonkers resident who co-founded the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise money for research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, died on Nov. 22 at age 37. He was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, seven years before his death.

Quinn saw an Ice Bucket Challenge on the social media feed of the friends of Anthony Senerchia from Pelham. He and fellow ALS patient Pete Frates popularized the challenge as a fundraiser that swept the globe, eventually raising $115 million for The ALS Association and over $220 million around the world for ALS research.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano will join the frosty festivities, intended to reignite the movement sparked in the Hudson Valley nearly seven years ago.

Participants are encouraged to pre-register, but walk-up registration will also be available on the day of the event. The event is free and open to all ages (No one under 21 years of age will be permitted inside the casino buildings).

Those interested in taking a cold soak for a good cause can register here. Participants should bring their own towel, but the buckets of ice water will be provided by the organizers. Free parking for the event is available at the casino.