NAHANT — Hundreds of community members stampeded into the frigid waters of Short Beach promptly at noon on Monday for the 2024 Freezin’ for a Reason polar plunge.
Since its inception, the event has raised more than $135,000 for local causes on New Year’s Day.
This year’s beneficiary was the Bagley family of Lynn. 44-year-old Melissa Bagley drowned last August while attempting to rescue her 10-year-old son.
“We’re just doing it to help them with whatever expense they need,” George Sonia said. “Just to make their life a little brighter right now.”
Sonia has been involved with Freezin’ for a Reason for 16 years. Sonia; his wife, Stephanie; and the Capano family help organize Freezin’ for a Reason and have turned the plunge into a yearly tradition.
“It’s a great way to start the year,” Sonia said. “I look at all the people, they’re all smiling and happy to be here.”
This year’s event had already raised nearly $13,000 through T-shirt sales by the time the crowd hit the beach Monday morning, but Sonia was confident that more would be raised through raffles at the post-plunge reception at Rolly’s Tavern.
Roger Ennis has experience with cold-water-immersion therapy as a member of Marblehead’s Wolfpack, and he remained in the 46-degree water longer than anyone else. He has taken part in Freezin’ for a Reason for a few years now, and did not hesitate to plunge in 2024 when he heard about the cause.
“It couldn’t be a better cause,” Ennis said. “I’m glad it was such a great turnout. Obviously our prayers are with the family.”
