NAHANT — The Nahant Police Department has joined eight surrounding police departments participating in a cold plunge Sunday morning in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, raising $7,000.
“Deputy Chief Hannigan (Chelmsford) and Lt. (Brian) Gendron (Westford) from the two local police departments came together,” Kara Walker, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer of Make-A-Wish, said. “They’ve both done things with Make-A-Wish in the past, and they wanted to do something to raise awareness and support. So they decided on a polar plunge.”
Members of each police department gathered at the Life Saving Station, alongside regular residents, mentally preparing to dive into the cold water at Short Beach as the harsh winds hit.
Walker shared that this event was not only to raise money but also to show the community that is behind the children and families of Make-A-Wish.
“We had dozens of people volunteering who put it together (and) who raised money,” Walker added. “They are here today in the freezing cold to either jump in the water or just support those who were… it means so much to us.”
Among the volunteers plunging into the cold water was Salem resident Brianna Le Conti.
Le Conti took the stage and thanked attendees and shared a deeply personal story about her brother Bryce, whose medical journey shaped her life. Born in 2001, Bryce was “perfectly healthy” until he suffered his first seizure at six months old.
That moment led to years of treatments, surgeries, and complications, including strokes, leaving him to be diagnosed with epilepsy and reliant on a wheelchair.
Le Conti described how much of her childhood was spent in hospitals, often separated from family members due to caregiving demands. A turning point came when Bryce’s wish was granted: A Disney cruise trip.
“It was perfect for him,” Le Conti said, recalling a cruise to the Bahamas where the family swam with stingrays and, for once, experienced uninterrupted time together.
“For the first time, we weren’t living in the hospital,” she stated.
Most importantly, she said, the experience allowed Bryce “to feel like a kid.” Today, he continues to face daily seizures, but remains stable.
Inspired by that impact, Le Conti became a volunteer in 2019 and has helped grant over 200 wishes.
“The power of the wish is so special, it allows families just to be together no matter what the wish may be,” she said.
Chief Timothy Furlong also shared that “Brian (Gendron)’s a friend, he frequents the beach in the summertime,” he added, “Once he told me the cause, it was a no-brainer.”
Furlong expressed that the Nahant PD is just committed to their community, it’s in their mission and even on the side of their cars.
“Giving back and showing the community that we’re not all bad guys,” Furlong stated. “We like to give help out and give back, especially for great causes like this.”
