The event is March 17. Supporters can raise funds for OYRSJ through their own plunge or sponsoring the plunge of OYRSJ chair Dave Silver.
Dave Silver, chair of the Marlton-based Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey military support group, is used to working hard for those serving in the military overseas.
Whether it’s raising money for his nonprofit, packing box after box of treats and supplies to be mailed overseas or even arranging his group’s “rock star” welcome home events for returning service members, Silver does a lot.
However, on March 17, Silver is jumping into a new way to help OYRSJ when he takes part in the Medford Lakes Polar Plunge.
Sponsored by the Medford Lakes Canoe Carnival float group “On the Rocks,” the annual Polar Plunge sees brave men and women jump into the icy waters of Medford Lakes every March to raise money for a local charity.
This year, On the Rocks selected OYRSJ as the beneficiary for the plunge, which Silver said was especially meaningful as he grew up in Medford Lakes.
“All fundraising and all people reaching out to help us means a lot to me, but it’s my hometown where I grew up and my parents still live there and my son goes to camp there, so it’s pretty cool,” Silver said.
Once Silver learned OYRSJ would be the beneficiary for this year’s plunge, he decided to take “the plunge” as well.
“The last time I’ve done a ‘plunge’ was probably seventh or eighth grade when I fell in some icy water on the beach … but they chose our group and I said if they’re going to be doing it, then I got to do it,” Silver said. “I got to earn my keep.”
Silver said On the Rocks selected OYRSJ as beneficiary for this year’s plunge in part due to the recent increase in shipping costs for OYRSJ to send packages to the men and women serving overseas.
Earlier this year, Silver learned costs would double for his group to ship packages due to a decision by the United States Postal Service to consolidate its number of postal centers that process military mail from five locations across the country to one location in Chicago.
Last year, OYRSJ shipped almost 1,900 care packages at a cost of about $55,000.
Instead of shipping care packages to the previously used center in New York, OYRSJ must now pay more expensive domestic shipping charges to first send packages to Chicago.
In the time since, Silver and OYRSJ have had support from Congressman Tom MacArthur (R-3) and 8th District legislators Sen. Dawn Addiego, Assemblyman Joe Howarth and Assemblyman Ryan Peters, but ultimately Silver said the issue isn’t something that can be fixed legislatively.
“Basically I’m waiting to hear from (USPS) corporate headquarters and the postmaster general,” Silver said. “Congress has said it’s a Post Office issue and not something they vote on. It’s a logistical change that the Post Office made, so it’s in the Post Office’s hands to do the right thing or keep care packages from getting to our brave service members,” Silver said.
In the meantime, Silver said locals can support him and OYRSJ by supporting the upcoming Polar Plunge on March 17 in Medford Lakes at 3 p.m.
Locals can solicit donations and plunge themselves, or they can sponsor Silver’s plunge by pledging $1 or more by emailing Silver at [email protected].
“We’re in the care package business and the moral boosting business of our U.S. service members deployed in the Middle East,” Silver said. “We do it for many reasons, but one of them is just to show our gratitude for the freedom they protect and provide and to let them know they’re not forgotten.”
Local businesses can also contribute raffle prizes to be awarded during the plunge’s after party at Ott’s Tavern on Stokes Road in Medford from 4 to 6 p.m. The after party is set to feature live entertainment, raffle prizes, a 50/50, and $2.50 beer and wine.
For more information, to be a plunger or to be a corporate sponsor and donate prizes, contact Cynthia at (609) 217–4596 or email at [email protected].
Registration for plungers begins at 2 p.m. on the day of the event at Beach One, Tabernacle Road in Medford Lakes.
