Presents, holiday meals, and a chilly dip for some

MATTPOISETT — Some kids got nothing but gifts and treats in their Christmas stockings. Others got notes from Santa calling them down to Mattapoisett Town Beach later that morning, to give back to a charitable organization. 

Helping Hands and Hooves, a therapeutic riding group, held a polar plunge late on Christmas morning to raise money for their spring riding program. Organizers Julie Craig and Debbi Dyson said the donations will cover most of the cost of the spring lessons. 

The two have taken advantage of the time of giving for the last 16 years to fundraise. 

“It’s a great way just to see each other quickly,” Craig said. 

“And a good way to have kids focus on something else, so the focus is not just on themselves,” Dyson added. 

The two said that they had excellent participation this year, likely because the weather was good, although they noted that they have die-hard participants, who will run in even when organizers have to shovel a path through the snow to the water. 

One year, they specially dressed their main therapy horse, and brought it to the beach for the event. Another year, a band from New Orleans provided a soundtrack for the event. 

New this year was a group photo in the shirts that Helping Hands and Hooves provided. Then, participants stripped down and dove in. 

Some families were long done with presents by the time the plunge came around. Others did stockings before and presents after the plunge, when other family members arrived. One plunger recycled his Santa suit from the Santa run last year to wear in the water.