SOMERS POINT -
"He was a friend to everybody -
everyone loved him."
Arthur "Bub" Elwell passed
away in 2008, but his memory lives on in Somers Point where his friends and
family raise scholarship money by plunging into the ocean in his memory.
Alyssa Elwell said, "My father
passed away a few years ago of pancreatic cancer. He was a lifelong resident, born and raised
also in Somers Point and was a volunteer firefighter for Company #1."
The St. Patty's Day polar bear plunge
benefits the Arthur Elwell scholarship fund which gives a graduating high
school senior the chance to further his or her education.
Manager at Charlie's Bar, Brian Hartley,
said, "The last couple of years we've given away about $15,000 worth of
scholarships and it's really a great day we got about 125 to 250 people each
year and it's a lot of fun."
Participants said they were happy to
pay the 40 dollars to take the plunge because it was for a good cause.
One plunger said, "It's great -
people get pumped up every year and look forward to it. It's a good time and like I said, it's for a
good cause, its all for charity."
Charlie's bar in Somers Point holds the
pre and post plunge celebrations.
Hartley added, "We have some silent auction prizes, a Chinese
auction, and a 50 - 50, and all of the money goes to the scholarship fund," and
continued "It's all about remembering Art and all of the great things he used
to do for the people of Somers Point and we all miss him but we do this to keep
his spirit alive."
Art's family members say they are
grateful for Charlie's help and for the beautiful day.
Alyssa Elwell said, "To just have
the sun shining on us - we knew he was with us in spirit here and gave us a
nice day."
