A lieutenant in Temple’s Fire Department is raising money for veterans through the Swim with a Mission program.
Matt Ayers of Temple has raised $700 for Swim with a Mission (SWAM), a nonprofit organization that raises money to fund local, state and federal veteran programs, including the Hidden Battles Foundation. Ayers currently serves as a board member for Hidden Battles, a nonprofit organization that promotes awareness of suicide-related deaths among veterans and first-responders. Earlier this year, Hidden Battles hosted a kayaking event on Newfound Lake to raise money for veterans in need.
On Saturday, June 16, SWAM is hosting its annual event at Wellington State Park in Bristol. Swimmers from all over the region will compete in one-, five- and 10-kilometer races across Newfound Lake. For every $100 raised, participants and volunteers will have a chance to win a trip for two to the Navy SEAL Museum Muster in Fort Pierce, Fla.
Ayers said he’s proud to volunteer for SWAM’s event for the third year to benefit his fellow veterans. Ayers served in the military for more than six years, working as a mechanic for Army Special Forces in Colorado. After moving to Temple in 2019, Ayers raised thousands of dollars for SWAM over the last three years.
“To see the money going to help veterans and veteran organizations and give them that support and have fun events is the best part for me knowing I made a difference,” said Ayers.
Every year, Ayers has promised to get a mullet if he raised a minimum of $1,000 from friends and family in the community. Last year, Ayers raised $2,000 for SWAM, and gave the clippers to his friend Lindsay Migala for donating the final $400 to reach his goal. This year, Ayers is still pursuing his goal of raising $1,000.
Ayers said the SWAM organization has transformed into something truly special over the years.
“To see where it started and to see all these [veteran] programs, it’s pretty awesome,” said Ayers.
Saturday’s races begin at 7:30 a.m., and the award ceremony will take place around 11 a.m at Wellington State Park.