Patriot Polar Plunge! - To Benefit the LIFT Fund for Veterans at Monmouth Habitat for Humanity - In Memory of State Trooper and National Guardsman Juan Fajardo

Join us for the 5th Annual Sea Girt Polar Plunge to benefit the LIFT Fund for Veterans at Monmouth Habitat for Humanity, presented by Sea Girt Recreation. After-Party with breakfast buffet at Rod's Tavern in Sea Girt immediately following the plunge - 507 Washington Blvd. Sea Girt, NJ 08750. Hoodie sweatshirt for all registered, subject to available sizes and quantities. Proceeds will help Jersey Shore area Veterans with home improvement and housing needs. Help us serve those who have served! 

The LIFT (Local Initiative For Troops) Fund is an extension of Monmouth Habitat for Humanity's neighborhood revitalization programs. LIFT assists veterans with home repair and upkeep aimed at ensuring safe, affordable housing and pride of home ownership. With the use of volunteer labor and LIFT funding, these projects can often be accomplished at little or no cost to a qualified veteran homeowner. The LIFT program is available to veterans throughout Monmouth County. 

We are honored to announce the Patriot Polar Plunge on Feb. 7th, 2026, will again be in memory of NJ State Trooper, Sgt. Juan Fajardo. He was also a Lieutenant in the NJ National Guard, befitting our beneficiary, the LIFT Fund for Veterans at Monmouth Habitat for Humanity. Please see a note from Juan’s family below:

In November of 2021 we tragically lost Juan Fajardo who was a neighbor, a friend, and one of the most incredible people we knew. Juan just turned 41. He had a wife he adored like none other, and three beautiful children ages 5-12.  He was a state trooper and a national guardsman. Juan was even the Governor’s security detail person at one point in his career. He coached kids in soccer and football, had a fantastic sense of humor, and one of the most caring people we've ever known. And....the "Girt" military beach, was his happy place too!  Our whole community mourned his loss and had a candlelight vigil in the park for him. For his funeral the military & state police gave him a full-blown military funeral, including a fly over, at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery. That's just how great he was!