BY WWSB

A soaking Santa Claus is helping raise money for a children's shelter.

Jason Schwenke is donning the Santa suit while going underwater in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. He says he'll be taking pictures with other divers in exchange for a donation to the local children's shelter. The Florida Keys Dive Center is also donating a portion of profits from Santa charters to the shelter.

It's not easy being a submerged Santa, but Schwenke says he's getting better at keeping the beard on.

Eric Vandal, a visitor from Montreal, says he was surprised to run into a "big, jolly red guy underwater." He ended up taking a picture on Santa's lap.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All

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