By Matthew Bernat | Sippican Week
MATTAPOISETT — There’s nothing quite like a dip in the ocean to warm the heart on Christmas morning. Approximately 50 people participated in the annual Helping Hands and Hooves Christmas Day Swim held at Town Beach. The fundraiser is now in its 13th year.
The Mattapoisett-based nonprofit group offers therapeutic riding lessons to adults with disabilities, such as Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, from the South Coast.
Helping Hands and Hooves co-founders Debbi Dyson, left, and Julie Craig on the beach before the swim. (Photo by: Matthew Bernat)
Participants pose for a picture before their dip in Buzzards Bay. (Photo by: Matthew Bernat)- Participants brace themselves for the cold water. (Photo by: Matthew Bernat)
- Matt Kiernan, right and his brother Kevin head for the beach after making the plunge. (Photo by: Matthew Bernat)
“The students absolutely love it,” said Debbi Dyson, who co-founded Helping and Hooves with Julie Craig. “Some of them countdown the minutes until their next lesson.”
Each year, the swim raises money for spring lessons, held at Craig’s farm on Aucoot Road.
With temperatures reaching the mid-50s, participants noted Thursday’s event was probably the warmest one yet. “It was twenty seven degrees one year,” said Yvonne Haitsma of Wareham. “This is a walk in the park.”
Haitsma, who also volunteers at Helping Hands and Hooves, has made the plunge at all 13 of the group’s fundraisers. In past years, she said organizers have shoveled paths through snow to reach the water.
Dyson said the event draws local people of all ages. The oldest participant was an 81-year-old man who arrived in a wetsuit one year. The youngest to jump in was a 4-year-old.
No matter the size of the crowd, Dyson said a core group of supporters, friends and family are counted on each year to arrive.
It was that same group that started the tradition before the Christmas Day swim was turned into a fundraiser for Helping Hands and Hooves.
“This started out as just a dare among family and friends,” Dyson said.
After a couple of years, Dyson said it was decided to use the event as a fundraiser for Helping Hands and Hooves. Participants are asked to donate $15. Often, donors contribute much more. Last year, the event raised approximately $3,000. All of the proceeds go towards the organization.
Before rushing into the ocean, participants stayed warm with complimentary hot cider and visited with friends. Many dressed in festive Santa hats and other holiday garb.
Dyson’s husband Eric explained that there is one rule for participants.
“You have to get your head wet,” he said. “If not, we send you back in.”
