Santa Swim participants from 2013 test the waters before taking the plunge.

CAMBRIDGE — The ever-popular Santa Swim for 2014 will again be hosted by The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina. Since 2003 The Hyatt has hosted this yearly tradition of the Care and Share Fund Dorchester. The Santa Swim first held in 2000 is a major fundraiser for Care and Share, which is a local nonprofit 501c3 formed in 1998 to serve Dorchester County and is dedicated to raising funds to help individuals and families in need of assistance.

The mission of Care and Share Dorchester with the assistance of the Maryland Department of Social Services is to help enhance vital needs such as dental care, doctor visits, prescriptions, eye care and other health concerns of our local less fortunate citizens. C&S also helps provide financial assistance where the lack of basic necessities such as heat, water, electricity would create a health risk or a medical emergency.

The annual Santa Swim is a fun way to raise the money needed to help support the programs that C&S administers. Incurring minimal operating cost because of generous donors, The Care and Share Fund of Dorchester has no paid staff and has a donor who underwrites all expenses, which allows every dollar (100 percent) of contributions to go directly to the least fortunate in Dorchester County.

Between now and Dec. 13, individuals will be gathering sponsors, while businesses and organizations will be forming teams to participate in the swim. An addition to last year’s event was the Hot Tub Club, participants who can’t or won’t brave the “Cool Crisp” waters of the Choptank River may make their donation and enjoy the warm soothing waters of the Hyatt Hot Tub, which will qualify them as the Santa Swim participant. Participants of the Santa Swim will be competing for first place trophies in the following categories: individual, team, organization (i.e., fraternal, auxiliary, church, etc.), and business.

A Santa Swim team is a group of individuals who raise funds together. Teams may choose to take the plunge together, or appoint a Team Captain to take the plunge. The rules do warn: “Throwing a member of the team into the river does NOT constitute the selection of a captain.”

Each participant will receive a Santa Claus hat the day of the swim which will identify them as a Santa for a Day. Santa’s helpers will be handing out a towel to each Santa as they come out of the Choptank to wrap up in, for a little warmth.

In addition to the trophies for first place in each category, there are other prizes which will include a stay at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake along with other forms of recognition. Supporting the Santa Swim in numerous ways including publicity, personnel, and so much more, The Hyatt will also host a “Survivors Celebration” immediately following the swim which will include entertainment and wonderful refreshments including Hot and Cold beverages, chili and other delicious treats all provided by The Hyatt Chesapeake Golf Resort Spa and Marina.

The Cambridge Quota Club who have been such a big part of the yearly event will once again be taking care of the on-site registrations. The Santa Swim will be held on Dec. 13, with the on-site registration beginning at 9:15 a.m. while the swim will start at10 a.m.

For more information about the Santa Swim, pledge forms, to donate, to pre-register for the swim, or to view photos of previous swims please visit the Care and Share Fund web site at www.careandsharefund.org, contact Helen Combs at 410-228-2728 or Dave Cannon at 410-924-0321. For Hyatt information or directions, contact the Hyatt directly at 410-901-1234 or http://www.hyatt.com.