Jefferson Animal Shelter Swimming in Charity's Donation

The Tom Wear Memorial Swim fund presented a check for $7,070 to Jefferson, earmarked for renovations and improvements to the town's animal shelter on Minnisink Road. Mayor Russell Felter and the town council accepted the check from members of the charity at a recent council meeting.

The fund was started in 2009 in honor of Tom Wear, owner of the Wearhouse Grill and two marinas. Wear died of a brain infection in 2008, and his companion and business partner, Regina Makowski, with the help of friend Bridgette Hobart, decided to start the charity swim event in his honor. 

The first swim took place in 2009, raising more than $8,000 for the Jefferson pound.

The event has been chosen as the United States Masters Swimming (USMS) two-mile open water national championship swim for 2012.