Mike's Story: Polar Plunges Shine a Warm Light on Entire Community of Wish Kids

What began as a few “knuckleheads” diving into the frigid Atlantic Ocean for a good laugh in the winter of 1998 soon became a life-changing event for Make-A-Wish – and for everyone involved. ​

Mike, a retired New York City firefighter, and his friends Pete and Kevin – aka the Long Beach Polar Bears – launched the Polar Bear Splash for Make-A-Wish in 2000 in memory of Mike's son Paulie, who passed away from cancer before his wish to go to the beach was granted. Despite such heartbreak, the mere possibility of Paulie's wish coming true gave Mike's entire family unforgettable hope. “In the middle of some very dark times, [Paulie's wish] was like a ray of hope that Paulie was able to think of something that would be fun, and he would talk about it … it was the only thing that really brought some light into the situation.”​

Twenty-four years later, the Polar Bears continue the annual winter plunge in Paulie's memory – and have raised more than $9 million for Make-A-Wish. With a starting goal of granting just one wish, "our community just grabbed it and ran with it,” Mike said. “It was like the snowball effect. It's just grown and grown and grown. If it's windy, or cold, or rainy, there's so much light and enthusiasm on the beach for Make-A-Wish. You wouldn't even know what the weather was because of the fun. It's all about the children. We're just happy to be part of it.”​

Mike encourages others to start their own fundraising event so that even more wish families can experience the same support that his family did. “It's so important to tell these families that they're thought about and cared about,” Mike said. “Make-A-Wish has embraced us and encouraged us to get more people involved, and the more people involved, the more wishes there are.”

And, of course, "to see the joy on a child's face is priceless."