I’m going for a record number of pallets this year — 401. I try keeping everything local.”

John Vitkevich

Prudence has a plunge, too

Prudence Island residents aren’t being left out of all the fun on New Year’s Day.

Islanders will herald in 2018 with a “First Walk” at 11 a.m. at Farnham Farm, followed by the “First Plunge” at Sandy Point at noon sharp.

Afterwards, a potluck and slide show by Joe Bains will be held at 1 p.m. at the Hope Brown Center. Space is limited; contact Rose Giarusso at 401/683-2940 for reservations.

PORTSMOUTH — John Vitkevich hasn’t even met Hannah Wertens, but he knows a good cause when he hears one.

Hannah, a 14-year-old freshman at Portsmouth High School who’s battling leukemia for the third time in her young life, will be the beneficiary of the annual New Year’s Day polar plunge in Island Park at noon sharp on Monday, Jan. 1.

The event has served as a fund-raiser for various causes over the past few years. Last year, money collected from cash donations and raffle prizes donated by local businesses went to the Portsmouth Dog Park. 

Mr. Vitkevich, a member of the Portsmouth Business Association who’s served as master of ceremonies for the past several years, learned about Hannah through local media reports. He didn’t have a local beneficiary in mind until last month, and was happy to have stumbled upon Hannah. (As chance would have it, he has a 14-year-old granddaughter named Hannah.)

“This is an opportunity every year for someone new. (The family) struggles because of the expense of her illness,” said Mr. Vitkevich, adding that Hannah’s family was “thrilled” to see her face on the poster advertising the event.

Hannah was first diagnosed with diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 3. After enduring more than two years of chemotherapy, doctors declared she was in remission.

She was cancer-free for only 10 months, however, as the disease returned when she was 6, requiring more chemotherapy. She also underwent a bone marrow transplant that year, which required her to be in isolation for the following year to protect her against infection and rejection.

Then in the summer of 2016, a bone marrow biopsy revealed leukemia cells, and Hannah was back to her life of hospital rooms and outpatient treatment. 

Although her young life has been difficult and often keeps her isolated from her peers, Hannah has gained many friends and has become a local celebrity along the way.

In August, she appeared on the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon and brought the house down at Fenway Park with her rendition of “God Bless America.”

Hannah was planning on singing that song before Monday's polar dive — at 11:53 a.m. to be precise — but she's had another setback. 

On Friday, family friend Victoria Fonseca posted on Facebook that Hannah was being admitted to Boston Children's Hospital. 

"She loves Christmas so much, but she hasn’t felt well so it was hard to enjoy," Ms. Fonseca wrote. "She and her family need your prayers and support. It’s been a really really long year and a half of non-stop issues. God has been so faithful and the one thing Hannah consistently asks for is prayer. The reason she asks is because she knows it works and she has seen the power of God in her young life."

Doing their service

Members of the Portsmouth High School Community Service Club are expected to be on the beach collecting donations. “I’m going to whip those kids up to make them good salespeople on the beach,” Mr. Vitkevich said.

After the plunge, the party moves up the street to The Beachcomber, where raffle tickets will be sold. Many local businesses have donated gift cards and other prizes. Atria Aquidneck Place, for example, is offering a “dinner for four to go,” said Mr. Vitkevich.

East Coast Construction has offered a cash donation which will be used to buy gift cards to other local businesses, he said. “We’ll keep it in the community,” Mr. Vitkevich said.

Big bonfire

As always, Mr. Vitkevich has arranged for another bonfire to keep swimmers and onlookers warm. This year’s will be biggest and best yet, he promises. 

“I’m going for a record number of pallets this year — 401,” he said, “I try keeping everything local.”

The tide will be low at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 1, he noted. “We’re going to have a tremendous beach to play on. I’m gonna push the fire a little bit closer to the water,” he said.

The fire department will again be on hand is lending its giant American flag, which will be displayed atop a crane being donated by Brandon Kidd of Pirate Cove Marina, he said.

Mr. Vitkevich is busy running around town, looking for volunteers and donations, but says it’s all worth it.

“It’s a lot of work but I enjoy doing it. 02871 is fun,” he said, urging everyone to come out on Jan. 1.

“Don’t you want to start your year off the right way?”

Polar Dive for Hannah

WHAT: Benefit for Hannah Wertens, a freshman at Portsmouth High School who is fighting cancer for the third time.

WHERE: Island Park Beach on Park Avenue

WHEN: Noon on Monday, Jan. 1 (music starts at 11 a.m., followed by the lighting of the fire)

OTHER: After the plunge, party moves to The Beachcomber, 506 Park Ave., for raffle, food and drinks.

MORE INFO: John Vitkevich at 401/683-7700