On the first day of 2024, 250 people are expected to plunge into ice-cold waters at Nahant’s Short Beach at 12 p.m. to raise money for the family of Melissa Bagley, the 44-year-old mother from Lynn who drowned in August while trying to rescue her 10-year-old son.
Now in its ninth year, the Capano and Sonia families’ New Year’s Day polar-plunge tradition Freezin’ for a Reason has raised more than $135,000 for a variety of local causes, including the Boxford-based educational nonprofit Camp Rotary, which allows children ages 7 through 15 an opportunity to attend summer camp or the Camp Fire North Shore afterschool program.
In 2021, proceeds from the Freezin’ for a Reason plunge went toward treatment for Ricky Nelson, of Lynn, who was diagnosed with West Syndrome, a severe neurological disorder that causes abnormal brain waves, which lead to recurrent seizure episodes.
One of the event’s main organizers, Stephanie Sonia, said that when news broke of the Bagley family’s loss, the Sonias and Capanos knew almost immediately that they wanted this year’s plunge to benefit the Bagley family.
“After we found out about what happened, we were talking about Freezin’ for a Reason and we all just agreed that it should go toward this family,” Sonia said. “It touches your heart and you want to help as much as you can.”
Sonia said roughly two weeks before the plunge that the organizing families have already sold more than 150 T-shirts. After the plunge, Rolly’s Tavern will host a gathering where participants can warm up and take part in a raffle to win items such as a roll of $5 scratch tickets or signed sports memorabilia courtesy of Barry and Paul Calvani of Lynn’s Cal’s News.
Before Freezin’ for a Reason grew to become a widely anticipated annual fundraising event, organizer Mario Capano said the New Year’s Day cold swim was simply a tradition of Sonia’s husband, George, and a few of his friends.
“I give the credit to George and Stephanie, for turning what used to be just an annual event into a fun time with two reasons for jumping in the water and helping people with the money that we raise,” Capano said. “I think we’re going to have a tremendous turnout this year, probably a larger turnout than usual because of this family and because of the cause itself. It’s a tragedy. She (Bagley) gave her life to save someone else’s, so I think the support’s going to be big.”
