Jersey Shore star to join New Year’s Day Polar Bear plunge at Coney Island

December 29, 2012 Paula Katinas
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By Paula Katinas

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

One of the “Jersey Shore” gang is coming to another shore to help raise money for cancer-stricken kids.

Instead of the beaches of the Jersey Shore, Vinny Guadagnino, a member of the cast of the iconic reality television series, will be on the beach at Coney Island on New Year’s Day. Guadagnino is joining the Polar Bear Club http://www.polarbearclub.org/ on Tuesday, Jan. 1 for the club’s annual plunge into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Cold-EEZE Cold Remedy is sponsoring Guadagnino’s appearance. The reality television superstar is seeking to raise funds for Camp Sunshine. The charity provides respite and support to children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and assists their families. “It’s a really good cause,” Guadagnino said. “I like the idea of using my celebrity as a platform for something positive. I can relate to young people. I’m young myself,” he said.

This year will mark the second time Guadagnino has taken the plunge with the Polar Bears. “I did it last year too,” he said. He loves the beach, but in the winter? “The water was freezing!” he said. “I was nervous before going in because I knew the water would be cold. But you’re there with a lot of people, small kids, people of all ages, and you’re all running into the water together,” he said.

“I don’t stay in long,” Guadagnino admitted. “I get in and get right out.”

“I’m happy to be representing Cold-EEZE. I would take it anyway even if I wasn’t representing them,” he said.

Guadagnino, a native of Staten Island, said he didn’t go to Coney Island much when he was growing up. “I liked the Jersey Shore,” he said. But he is looking forward to visiting Coney Island again, he said.

Guadagnino, who became a household name after all six seasons on the “Jersey Shore,” http://www.mtv.com/shows/jersey_shore/season_6/series.jhtml said he looks back on the recently completed show with a sense of pride and gratitude. “I’m definitely proud of being part of a show that became a pop culture phenomenon. I made lifelong friends on that show. And it opened a lot of doors for me. I put myself in a position to enjoy other professional opportunities,” he said.

One of those professional opportunities is his own show, a celebrity interview show on MTV called “The Show With Vinny.” Under the unusual format, there will be no studio or audience. Instead, celebrity guests will visit with Guadagnino and his family in their Staten Island home and will be interviewed by Guadagnino.

“I like the idea of being in control of things instead of doing something and having the cameras catch you as you’re reacting to things,” he said.

Will Snooki or The Situation be on the new show? “I think that would be too easy, since we were just on the show together,” Guadagnino said of his fellow “Jersey Shore” cast mates. “I think I’ll ask other celebrities,” he said.

 

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