Pair prepping for Polar Plunge in Revere

REVERE – Jodi Reath, president of Millions of Muscles Fitness, is working to prepare herself to plunge into the icy waters of Revere Beach on Saturday.?You just have go for it and do it,” Reath said Wednesday during an interview at her cozy home in Point of Pines.Reath is taking part in the annual Polar Plunge, which is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics.Participants run into the water with team members who have agreed to raise money for the Special Olympics. Two locations this year will host plungers, including Revere Beach and Nantasket Beach in Hull.The Polar Plunge began 14 years ago to develop a creative way to raise money.?We wanted an interesting way to get people involved. We want to get people to push themselves and for this not to be a run-of-the-mill fundraiser,” Special Olympics Massachusetts Director of Development Steve Huftalen said.It also is for people to understand what Special Olympic athletes go through on a daily basis.?It takes a lot of courage for them to get out there and live their lives,” Huftalen said. “We want the plungers to work up the same kind of courage to get in the water.”Reath is taking part in the event with 20 or so of her “boot campers.” Millions of Muscles Fitness is a combination of fitness programs, including boot camps, one-on-one training, small group training and Zumba.The programs are designed to be fun and educational. It helps people of all fitness levels get in the best shape of their lives in a short period of time by the use of fitness coaching, nutritional advice and motivational training.?I?ve always watched it every year, but this is the first time I?ve decided to take part. It?s great that we have been able to create a team,” Reath said.Millions of Muscles Fitness members actually decided to take part only a few weeks ago.?We have already been able to raise $2,000 in two weeks, which is amazing,” Director of Operations Sean Mallett said.Garfield Middle School staff will also be participating in the event. Twelve staff members, along with Principal Patricia Massa, will jump into the waters off Revere Beach.The middle school developed a creative way to raise money and get students involved.?Every time the students raise a certain amount of money, a teacher?s name would be pulled out of a hat and they have to participate automatically,” sixth-grade math teacher Richard Norris said. “It?s a good way to get students excited.”Garfield has raised $300 and is hoping to raise $500 by the end of the week.Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected].