Day: April 4, 2025

The Coney Island Polar Bear Club announced this week that its annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge raised more than $60,000, benefiting seven local Coney Island non-profits. The event, hosted in collaboration with the Alliance for Coney Island, drew over 6,000 participants.

The Polar Bear Club, the oldest winter bathing organization in the United States, swims in the Atlantic Ocean every Sunday from November through April. Since its formation in 1903, the club’s New Year’s Day plunge has raised more than $500,000 in donations from brave plungers welcoming the new year.

“The New Year’s Day Plunge is not only a thrilling tradition, but also a vital fundraiser that helps strengthen our community,” said Cindy Vourderis, event organizer and the marketing and events director for the Alliance for Coney Island.

Among the recipients was the New York Aquarium, which plans to use the funds to support local marine conservation programs aimed at keeping New York’s waters safe for the community and wildlife, and Coney Island USA, which will use the funds to continue preserving the arts in Coney Island, like the Coney Island Museum and Sideshows by the Seashore.

Other organizations included the Coney Island Public Library, the Coney Island Brighton Beach Open Water Swimmers (CIBBOWS), the Coney Island History Project, and Parachute Literary Arts.

“This donation will help strengthen the library, ensuring it remains a valuable hub for the community. Without your help, the library cannot run. Thank you to everyone for supporting the Coney Island community,” said Borris Ioselev from the Coney Island Library.

The Alliance for Coney Island, a nonprofit public-private partnership, is dedicated to the year-round revitalization of Coney Island. It receives support from the New York City Council, the Brooklyn Borough President, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation to assist businesses, nonprofits, and the community.

The awardees were recognized for their impact on the community on Sunday, March 30 during a check presentation ceremony. 

“The Coney Island Polar Bear Club is deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to our fundraising efforts — whether by donating, volunteering, or supporting our mission to give back to the community we call home,” said Jarred Lustgarten, president of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club. “Your generosity helps us make a lasting impact, ensuring we can continue this tradition and create even more opportunities for service and celebration. Thank you!”

The latest mayoral poll shows Andrew Cuomo surging ahead, especially with minority voters—pulling 47% of Black voters and 45% of Hispanic voters. While some are surprised by Cuomo’s rising popularity, as the leader of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, I’m not.  That’s because we judge leaders by what they’ve done, not what they’ve promised. 

For Black women, who face persistent challenges — including maternal healthcare disparities, economic inequities, and disproportionate effects from the affordability and housing crises — Cuomo has a proven track record addressing these pressing problems.  

As the mayor’s race heats up, Black women have every reason to be skeptical of campaign promises, but they also have every reason to support Cuomo. His record speaks for itself—first as HUD Secretary, then as Attorney General, and for 11 years as our Governor. That’s why he’s the right choice to lead our city forward.  

Granted, Black Democrats are not a monolith, but as the first Black woman to Chair the Brooklyn Democratic Party and first NYC County Leader to endorse Cuomo, I speak from experience on this support. 

Cuomo has built a vast coalition of backing across Brooklyn, and NYC, because Democrats of all stripes recognize the need for a battle-tested leader—and know Cuomo’s unique experience and results-driven leadership make him the best choice for Mayor.  

As Governor, Cuomo delivered real results and led with compassion. His policies directly addressed Black women’s issues with sensitivity and action. 

I know this firsthand as a Black mother and a survivor of maternal loss. I lost my son Jonah after being turned away from a hospital in a high-risk situation. That trauma fueled my fight to pass the Jonah Bichotte Cowan Law, ensuring expectant mothers in preterm labor receive necessary care. Cuomo signed that bill into law, proving his commitment to making motherhood safer. He also took bold action against health insurers discriminating against maternal care patients.  

As a sexual assault survivor, I co-sponsored the Child Victims’ Act to extend the statute of limitations for survivors seeking justice. Cuomo’s signature on that bill wasn’t a formality—it was a commitment towards ensuring victims’ voices were heard and preventing future generations from enduring that trauma.  

In a time of political attacks, Cuomo remains steadfast in his dedication to justice. That’s why, during his most difficult moments, many Black women, including myself, stood by him. When calls to remove him from office surfaced, I joined Black women legislators in originally arguing that those calls were premature. We took a nuanced approach because Black women and their families have too often been denied fairness in both the courts and public opinion; held to higher standards while facing deep-seated injustices.  

Ultimately, Cuomo understands this, and he put New Yorkers first by prioritizing the state’s well-being above political considerations. 

As we now face worsening affordability and housing crises, we need a leader with a proven record in tackling these issues head-on. Cuomo’s leadership on multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects, like the $4 billion LaGuardia Terminal B redevelopment, created thousands of local jobs while utilizing women- and minority-owned businesses at record rates.  

In Brooklyn, Cuomo made an undeniable impact. His Vital Brooklyn initiative invested $1.4 billion to break down healthcare barriers, build affordable housing, expand medical access, and create parks and green spaces. 

His leadership helped lift New York out of the Great Recession, ensuring an equitable recovery. For Black women, who face both gender and racial pay disparities, his push to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour made a real difference.  

New Yorkers witnessed Cuomo’s steady leadership during the pandemic, guiding the city through one of its darkest moments—even while facing attacks from the President. That’s the type of unflinching leadership we need in City Hall.  

New York stands at a crossroads. Rising crime, unaffordable housing, and crumbling infrastructure threaten our city’s future. We don’t have time for a Mayor to learn on the job—we need a leader who has been tested, has delivered, and doesn’t just talk about issues that matter most for our communities, but implements real solutions.  

Cuomo has proven he can take on the toughest fights and win. He has shown up for Black women—not just during elections, but when it truly matters. This election is critical for our future, and that’s why I’ve proudly joined the growing ranks endorsing Cuomo. We must now use our collective power at the polls to ensure the voices of Black women, seniors, and mothers are heard and prioritized in shaping our city.  

Cuomo will fight for us—and together, as the backbone of the Democratic Party, we’ll move New York forward.