By Beth David, Editor
A balmy 50 deg1rees greeted hundreds of plungers and spectators 1on 1/1/25 for the annual Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven, honoring domestic violence victims.
Sisters, Agatha and Jessica Sils of New Bedford got dressed up as reindeer for their plunge. It was the second time for them.
“Why not?” said Jessica. “It’s a good reset.”
“To bring positivity to the world,” said Agatha.
Roslin, 2, went in with the help of her dad, Ben, but she didn’t have much to say after. However, her big sister, Mae, 5, said she went in two years ago, and that was enough for her.
“I don’t want to ever go again,” said Mae.
Natalie Seiders jumped in for the third time, with her brother, Jacob, and their father, Jeff, joining her.
“It was good compared to the others,” said Natalie, because it was warmer this year.
She said she plunges because of her father.
“Just to start a new tradition,” said dad.
“I like the cold,” said Jacob
The plunge is free, but organizers sell t-shirts, with proceeds going to the Fairhaven Dollars for Scholars scholarship program.
Organizers said 236 people registered to plunge, but a few more always sneak in without registering.
This year they had plungers from California, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey and Mississippi. Mass. towns included: Acushnet, Assonet, Berkley, Bridgewater, Canton, Carver, Dartmouth, Dighton, E. Bridgewater, East Taunton, East Freetown, Easton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Franklin, Free town, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, N. Dighton, N. Easton, New Bedford, Norton, Raynham, Rochester, S. Dartmouth, Spencer, Swansea, Taunton, W. Dighton, and W. Wareham.
Find them on Facebook to learn more: Fort Phoenix Polar Plunge. Email Kathy Lopes, lopeska@aol.com, if you want a t-shirt. Learn more about Fairhaven Dollars for Scholars at https://fairhaven.dollarsforscholars.org.
-
- Plungers head out of the water quickly after jumping into the icy waters for the annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven on 1/1/25, in honor of domestic violence victims. Photo by Beth David.
-
- Two women are clearly feeling the chill as they run out of water after jumping in for the annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven on 1/1/25, in honor of domestic violence victims. Photo by Beth David.
-
- L-R: Natalie, Jacob, and Jeff Seiders are all smiles after jumping into the icy waters for the annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven on 1/1/25, in honor of domestic violence victims. Photo by Beth David.
-
- Roslin, 2, gets a lift from her dad, Ben, for a smoother sail into the icy waters for the annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven on 1/1/25, in honor of domestic violence victims. Photo by Beth David .
-
- A woman gives a big hello to someone after jumping into the icy waters for the annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven on 1/1/25, in honor of domestic violence victims. Photo by Beth David.
-
- L-R: Sisters, Agatha and Jessica Sils of New Bedford are dressed as reindeer ready to jump into the water for the annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven on 1/1/25, in honor of domestic violence victims. Photo by Beth David .
-
- A little girl is clearly smitten with Polar Bear at the annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven on 1/1/25, in honor of domestic violence victims. Photo by Beth David.
•••
Click here to download the 1/9/25 issue: 01-09-25 PolarPlunge
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
