For Isabella

The Penguin Plunge is a non profit 501c3 that offers people the opportunity and challenge of a brisk winter plunge into the Hudson River in beautiful Nyack while raising funds for families that have children with serious medical needs.  Each year, we help new families in the hope of helping them with all their costs while raising their spirits in a sense of community!  

We have two families with three wonderful children who not only have great medical needs but great heart.  There simply aren't words to describe how special these children are, but I'll try anyway! 

Isabella Ruggiero is a vivacious four year old from nearby Harrington Park, NJ who was diagnosed with a tumor (neruoblastoma) when she was only eighteen months old.  As a complication of this tumor perhaps, she developed a rare condition called OMS, an autoimmune disease,  which at this time is uncurable, but it requires specialized treatment that she receives in Chicago.  

Bella is the youngest daughter in the Ruggiero family, she has two sisters Nicolette and Gabriella.  The family suffered another tragedy just this past September when Bella's mom, Wendy, had a swimming pool accident and became paralyzed.  The family remains optimistic about Wendy's recovery but at this time, she is at a rehabilitation hospital, working hard to get better.

Despite all the hardships she has faced in her young life, Bella remains a happy little girl who literally delights those around her.  She loves to sing and dance and coloring books and is a fan of Dora the Explorer. Besides loving the color purple, Bella loves dogs and has a million stuffed ones!  She also is a great mom to her baby dolls, and feeds them and takes them for walks in their carriage.  

Because we are a small, local group, we are committed to raising as much funds as we can for the children that we help each year.  We look for people to challenge themselves by taking the plunge or supporting those that do.  We have a frosty festival of fun at Memorial Park, 53 Piermont Ave, Nyack NY on March 3 from 12-2.  We have live music (Blarney Stew and the Rockland County Children's Choir), DJ JImmy Schutz,  food, and entertainment and it is free but we ask that the "penguins" collect $20 in donations, that will get them a commemorative tshirt.  We also raise money by selling raffle tickets for incredible prizes: an iPad2, VIP tickets to the Rachael Ray show + cookware+ and autographed cookbook,  VIP ticket package to Late Night with David Letterman, an autographed hockey stick by Mike Richter, a Notre Dame football that will be personalized and autographed by coach Brian Kelly, and an auto detaliing package by Rides Auto Spa in South Nyack.  All for $10 a ticket, 3 for $25.  You don't need to be present to win, we hold the drawing on or about March 10th - In a public place with music!  Details on that to be posted as soon as we have them.

We also are hosting a trivia afternoon "Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grade Penguin" on Sunday Feb. 24 3-5PM in Nyack (more information on our website www.penguinplungeny.com and in an upcoming blog)

For more information on how you can help or if you have any questions, please call Barbara at 917-846-6763.