Swampscott to hold Polar Bear Plunge

SWAMPSCOTT – Some hardy souls are taking a swim in frigid waters on New Year’s Day to raise money for a great cause.The second annual Swampscott Yacht Club (SYC) Polar Bear Plunge has been scheduled on Jan. 1 at 10 a.m. at Fisherman’s Beach.All proceeds from the event will go to Jared Raymond and Jennifer Harris Memorial Funds, which provide scholarships to Swampscott High School students.Harris, who was a helicopter pilot with the elite HMM-364 Purple Foxes, was killed in February during her third tour of duty in Iraq.Raymond, the first Swampscott military casualty in the Iraq War, was killed in action Sept. 19, 2006 in Iraq while serving with the 1st Battalion 66th Armored Regiment 4th Infantry Division.Raymond’s mother, Jaclyn Raymond said the cold isn’t going to keep her from participating.”I’m going to take the plunge,” she said. “It’s a great cause and it’ll be a lot of fun. I’ll be wearing a bikini. If you’re going to do it you might as well feel it.”Raymond’s uncle, Jim Raymond, said he plans on recruiting at least 50 people to participate and some soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division may be on hand for the event.”I’ll be there,” he said. “I wouldn’t miss this. It’s a great cause and a way for us to give back to the town in the form of the scholarship. If it wasn’t for the town of Swampscott I don’t know how we as a family would have survived this tragedy. Everyone in town has been so wonderful to us and so supportive.”Swampscott Yacht Club Vice-Commodore Peter Booras encouraged all SYC members and area residents to participate by taking the plunge or sponsoring an individual who is participating.Booras said approximately 60 people participated in the swim last year and the event raised $3,355 for the Friends of Swampscott Sailing.”We’re expecting a bigger turnout this year,” he said. “The deaths of these two young people were emotionally devastating to the entire community and we wanted to do something in their memory.”Pledge forms for the Polar Bear Plunge are available by calling SYC at 781-598-9273, by emailing [email protected] and at C&L Package Store, SYC and Spiro’s Energy. Participants should bring the pledge sheet and donations to the registration table at the SYC on the day of the event between 9-10 a.m. on the day of the event.Checks should be made out to the “Jared Raymond Memorial Fund” or the “Capt. Jennifer J. Harris Memorial Fund.” Separate checks should be made to each fund if individuals would like their donation split equally.Checks may also be dropped in the SYC lockbox or mailed to SYC Polar Plunge, P.O. Box 12, Swampscott, MA 01907.