To keep a promise, Lipinsky braves the South Shore’s icy waters

Janelle Clausen
Erin Lipinsky, flanked by supporters and members of the Alert Fire Company, came down to Tobay Beach to be "freezin' for a reason." (Photo by Janelle Clausen)
Erin Lipinsky, flanked by supporters and members of the Alert Fire Company, came down to Tobay Beach to be "freezin' for a reason." (Photo by Janelle Clausen)

When Great Neck resident Erin Lipinsky heard that North Hempstead’s Polar Plunge was canceled this year due to aggressive tides, he said his initial reaction was “bad.”

But rather than sit this year out, Lipinsky headed to the icy waters of Tobay Beach on the South Shore, with junior members of the Alert Fire Company there in support.

“I made a promise,” Lipinsky, who plunged for the third year in a row, said in an interview.

“He didn’t want to disappoint all the people that donated to him,” added Joan Lazaunik, who came down to Tobay Beach with Lipinsky. “He was the top fundraiser for North Hempstead.”

Lipinsky raised $13,818 this year, according to the North Hempstead Polar Plunge event page, with all proceeds going toward Special Olympics New York. This was more than any other individual or team participating in North Hempstead.

North Hempstead’s scheduled polar plunge, which would have taken place in North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington, raised $41,130 in total.

The Town of Oyster Bay held their 5th annual polar plunge this year, with people from all over Long Island charging into the icy waters of Tobay Beach. (Photo by Janelle Clausen)
The Town of Oyster Bay held its fifth annual polar plunge this year, with people from all over Long Island charging into the icy waters of Tobay Beach. (Photo by Janelle Clausen)

Special Olympics New York has 68,547 athletes training and competing year-round, with it costing $400 to support training and competition for one athlete each season.

Lipinsky also surpassed his roughly $12,000 fundraising total from last year.

“He goes from store to store for months to raise money for the [Special] Olympics,” said Mike Green, the chairman of the Alert Fire Company’s Board of Trustees. “He makes fliers up and he hands them to people and the local fire departments pass the hats around during meetings. He puts a lot of effort in.”

In addition to reaching out to stores and the fire departments, Lipinsky sold wrist bands and donated those proceeds as well.

George Motchkavitz, a former fire chief of the Alert Fire Company, said the company has come out to the polar plunges for many years to help with ground control.

But the fire company and its junior members also have a “special interest,” Motchkavitz said, because Lipinsky frequently visits the firehouse and has worked hard to get where he is.

“They know about Erin, they admire Erin, and they know it’s important to him to get as much support as he can,” Motchkavitz said.

When asked what he would tell people who aren’t sure they want to run into the cold water, Lipinsky offered a few words of advice.

“Just do it,” Lipinsky said. “It’s for the kids. That’s what we do it for.”

As for whether or not he intended to tackle both Tobay Beach and North Hempstead Beach next year, Lipinsky said he’s up for the challenge.

“This is not my last plunge,” Lipinsky said, noting he intends to do even better in 2019. “Next year will be my fourth year.”

Share this Article