Spearheaded by Special Olympics athlete Erin Lipinsky, the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company raised $1,392 on Sunday, Aug. 13, at its second annual car wash as it began fundraising efforts for the Town of North Hempstead Polar Plunge–Special Olympics New York, which will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018.
Vigilant Fire Company members, local officials including Nassau County Legislator Ellen W. Birnbaum and Associate Director of Development for Special Olympics New York–Long Island Region Rebecca Strickland were in attendance to help wash cars and greet residents. Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth and Councilwomen Lee R. Seeman and Anna M. Kaplan presented Lipinsky with a certificate of recognition in honor of his dedication and enthusiasm for Special Olympics New York.
“For a second consecutive year, the Vigilant Fire Company is honored to have served as both the host and a sponsor of the Erin Lipinsky car wash,” said Vigilant Fire Company Chief Josh Forst. “Erin’s dedication and support of the Special Olympics has had a resounding impact on our membership. The overwhelming response of our members and the Great Neck community speaks to Erin’s continued commitment to advocating for a cause close to his heart.”
For the past two years, Lipinsky has been the number-one individual fundraiser for the town’s Polar Plunge. Last year, he doubled his $5,000 goal, raising more than twice as much as the previous year. The Special Olympics athlete collected more than $11,000, contributing a significant portion to the event’s fundraising total of more than $60,000, which will help support 7,000 Special Olympics New York–Long Island athletes, providing year-round sports training and competition in more than 22 Olympic-style sports.
“Erin Lipinsky is amazing. He was our top fundraiser for the Town of North Hempstead Polar Plunge last year,” said Strickland. “As soon as the plunge was over, he was excited to get started for 2017.”
A devoted Lipinsky explained, “I do it for the kids.”
