‘April Fools’ To Dunk For Hubbard Family

CHATHAM – Maybe it’ll be one of those balmy spring days that feel almost like summer. Or maybe, as it’s happened in the past, it’ll be sleeting horizontally in a driving onshore wind. 

Whatever the weather, the April Fools will be facing it — for a good cause.

 On Sunday, April 6 at 1 p.m., the Fools of the Chatham Fire Department will lead the charge of brave citizens taking an icy dip in the waters off Harding’s Beach. For the past 18 years, they’ve been raising money this way for local families experiencing serious challenges or tragedies.

 “Chatham Firefighters have done an outstanding job of rallying the community behind some amazingly brave people,” organizer and Chatham Fire Chief Justin Tavano said. “This year, we will swim for the Hubbard Family, John, Jack, Shannon and Maggie.”

On Oct. 13, the Hubbard family was vacationing at a rental home in Clinton, N.Y., when a fire broke out in the home (see related story). Mrs. Hubbard, 35, and 1-year-old Maggie perished in the blaze; John, a Dennis police patrolman, and 3-year-old son Jack survived.

 The Hubbards are much beloved on the Lower Cape; Mrs. Hubbard was raised in Orleans and graduated from Nauset High School. After college, she taught first grade at Harwich Elementary School before moving to Chatham Elementary School in September, where she led the preschool program. A special scholarship fund to help families with early childhood education costs has been established in her honor, and legislation is being drafted that aims to require smoke alarms and other safety standards for rental properties. That bill has been tentatively named the Maggie Hubbard Rental Safety Act.

 Tavano said the Hubbards’ story resonates strongly with local first responders, and not just because of the push for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in short-term rentals.

 “Additionally, John is a patrolman with Dennis PD. The Cape fire and law enforcement services are a tight-knit group, relying on each other for support both in and out of the line of duty,” he said. “Shannon was a teacher in the Monomoy District, most recently at Chatham Elementary School. CFD has always held a close relationship with CES, and that connection also makes this hit even closer to home.”

 When the April Fools swimmers take the plunge April 6, they’ll be supporting the Hubbard family directly, and swimmers and spectators are welcome. Donations in any amount can be made on the day of the swim or online via the “April Fools Plunge for Hubbard Family” GoFundMe page, which as of Tuesday had raised just over $1,000 toward its $5,000 goal. Contributions can also be sent to the April Fools, Chatham Fire Department, 135 Depot Rd., Chatham, MA 02633. T-shirts will be available for $25 prior to the event, with a limited supply to be sold at the swim. A free barbecue will be held at the Chatham VFW immediately following the event.

 Thinking about taking the plunge with the April Fools? Tavano has some pro tips.

 “First, show up,” he said. “Bring friends. Strength in numbers is what it is all about and why we do it. And have your friends who aren’t swimming have a giant dry towel awaiting you.” New swimmers need to remember that the shock of a frigid dip is short-lived and minimal compared to the pain, grief and hardship that each year’s beneficiaries feel, he said. Which leads to his final tip.

 “Don’t think. Just go.”