by Kelly Martinsen
When you meet Barbara Meyers, it’s easy to see she has a giving spirit and enthusiasm for life, simply by the way she smiles. This amazing woman is married to Pete Meyers, and together, along with their dear friends the McCarthys, they started the Long Beach Polar Bear Club and the club’s annual Super Bowl Sunday Splash to benefit the Make-A-Wish foundation (MAW). Married for 26 years, the Meyerses have their hands full, both with work and raising their four children, ages 11 to 22. Yet, every year at this time, they turn their attention to a project close to their hearts, the popular Polar Bear Splash.
So, how did it begin?
In 1998, Pete Meyers and Kevin McCarthy were neighbors, and soon close friends. They decided to jump into the ocean on Super Bowl Sunday just for fun. Members of both their
families were there to cheer them on.
“It was frigid,” shares Meyers, recalling that fateful day. “The coldest day since the event began. Blustery. Snow andsand blowing all over. Well, that was the beginning. The next year, there were 18 of us, myself included, and the Bradley family also joined that year. Mike Bradley and Patty Bradley had lost a child to cancer. Their son, Paulie, passed before he was able to receive his wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. By the third year, we realized that this crazy event was snowballing! We knew that this group of insane members could really benefit some type of charity, and with the Bradleys already being a part of this kooky club of polar bears and their connection with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, it seemed to just fit perfectly.”
The event has grown to be one of the biggest in the country. Why do you think that is?
“It’s magical. I think that it really comes down to the children. No child should be sick. No child should have to face lifethreatening diseases. Unfortunately, this happens, and we all just want to make them feel better. We wanted to do something in Paulie’s memory and have this jump mean something. That is where the Make-A-Wish Foundation came in; it made sense to partner with them. I also think that the magic of the most incredible city on Long Island—Long Beach—and its residents, as well as all the surrounding communities, really helped make it such a success. It is contagious. One person tells two friends. They tell two friends, and it turns into one enormous party on the beach in the middle of the winter!”
Have you met any of the children that may have benefitted from the funds that your event brings in?
“We have had a chance to meet with some of the children at various events. We also have many kids that are Wish alumni that attend the Polar Bear Splash and even jump in the ocean.
”What is your primary role organizing this MAW Polar Bear Splash?
“My role has been pretty general. I do a lot of organizing, getting together volunteers, and basically anything else that may arise. Part of our fundraising is selling sweatshirts and T-shirts each year. Every year, they are a different color, and, for some reason, people just love them! They have to have the new color every year. For the first several years, we were selling them from our home. It was difficult with small children as there were strangers coming to our home constantly. One of those strangers was your husband, Kevin. He would arrive at our house every year on Polar Bear Eve to pick up sweatshirts. We would be very busy getting ready for the next day, but ended up sitting on the couch chatting with him. Every year, I’d tell him, ‘Kev, don’t forget to get your stuff early.’ No, he always showed up the day before the event. That is how friendships start! We now have our
printer, EVAN Creations, sell them. You can pick up your gear from their store in Rockville Centre.”
How much have you raised for MAW?
“We have raised over $4 million, and if this year continues as others, we are looking at raising over $5 million in total. We are their biggest non-corporate donor! We also receive so much support and services from the city of Long Beach. They have truly been terrific.”
Any words of advice for first-time jumpers?
“If you are participating, just make sure to get your head and feet warm first! Hats and warm socks. And have fun!”
If you are interested in participating or volunteering, visit www.LongBeachPolarBears.org.
