Late Yonkers Native and ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Co-Founder Pat Quinn’s Family Partners with City of Yonkers and Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts for ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on Sunday, August 9
Former NFL Running Back (and former New York Jets player) Chris Johnson also bringing back the iconic challenge following his recent ALS diagnosis, encouraging others to freeze out ALS once and for all
YONKERS, NY – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, and the family of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge co-founder and late Yonkers Native Pat Quinn announce the date for the annual ALS Ice Bucket Challenge set for Sunday August 9. The event will honor Quinn’s legacy that has helped keep ALS awareness alive in his hometown for more than a decade. The challenge will take place at historic Yonkers Raceway located at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts in Yonkers, New York. Festivities will begin at 12:30 p.m. with the ice bucket dump scheduled for approximately 1:15 p.m. Participants should pre-register online at YonkersNY.gov/IBC.
The announcement comes as ALS continues to tragically make headlines. This year, Actor Eric Dane passed away after his battle with the disease, 90 Day Finance star Jenny Slatten and former NFL Running Back Chris Johnson were also recently diagnosed with ALS – often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease” – a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 5,000 individuals are newly diagnosed with ALS across the U.S. annually.
The ice bucket challenge, co-founded by Quinn after his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2013 at the age of 30, became a global phenomenon as more than 17 million people around the world participated in the social media challenge by dumping buckets of ice water on their heads. Quinn lost his battle with the disease six years ago, but the challenge has since generated awareness as well as hundreds of millions of dollars in donations towards ALS research and medical advances.
Continuing to lead the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is Quinn’s father, Patrick Quinn, Sr., who continues to pay tribute to his son and ensure his mission continues. Hosting a variety of fundraising events throughout the year, Quinn’s nonprofit organization, Quinn for the Win Find Your Smile Foundation (“Quinn for the Win”), continues to have a significant impact by providing cash grants to local ALS patients and their families to offset expenses not covered by medical insurance, including in-home care, adaptable equipment, wheelchair adjustments needed as patients’ physical limitations change and home renovations to accommodate wheelchairs.
“More than 13 years ago, my son started the challenge that changed the world’s understanding of ALS,” said Patrick Quinn, Sr. “Without the unwavering support from Mayor Mike Spano, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, and community members from Yonkers and beyond, there is no way we would have been able to keep the drum beat going to continue Pat’s legacy. Thank you to everyone who continues to support this annual tradition and I look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday, August 9.”
“The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has become a powerful symbol of hope, awareness, and action in the fight against this devastating disease. I encourage everyone in our community to take part in this year’s challenge—not only to have fun, but to help to continue shining a light on ALS and support the ongoing search for a cure. I want to thank Pat Quinn Sr. for his unwavering advocacy and tireless commitment to keeping this movement strong in honor of his son and our hero, Pat Quinn. I also extend my sincere appreciation to Empire City Casino for its generous support and partnership in bringing our community together for such an important cause. Every bucket poured, every donation made, and every voice raised brings us one step closer to a future without ALS,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano.
Since 2015, Empire City has hosted the annual challenge, except for 2020 due to the pandemic. Each year, the City of Yonkers donates buckets and the stage for the event and organizes online registration for participants. Empire City has underwritten the cost of the event and donated the space, staffing, and over 1,300 pounds of ice.
The 2026 Ice Bucket Challenge will be held outdoors trackside, is free to participate, and attendees of all ages are welcome. Day-of, walk-up registration will also be available, but online advance registration is strongly encouraged to secure a space and bucket. For more information and to register, please visit www.empirecitycasino.com.
