North Shore Polar Plunge Returns To Beverly's Lynch Park For 2023

BEVERLY, MA — Hundreds of families, students and teachers from across the North Shore are expected to take a chilly dip at Lynch Park to raise money to combat homelessness in the region with the return of the Polar Plunge this Sunday.

Three years after the last Plunge, which was twice canceled because of the COVID-19 health crisis, the North Shore Community Development Coalition and Lifebridge North Shore are relaunching it back this weekend with a goal of raising $35,000. Proceeds go to the North Shore CDC, which provides more than 400 affordable apartments in the area as well as youth workforce development programming, small business support and public art, as well as Lifebridge North Shore, which provides shelter, housing, case management and supportive services.

"We are extremely proud to bring this event back to the North Shore and to continue engaging and educating hundreds of community members each year on homelessness and housing insecurity," North Shore CDC Chief Executive Officer Mickey Northcutt said. "It's amazing how quickly our community rallies together to ensure the North Shore is a place of choice and opportunity.

"We cannot thank you enough."

Among the youth groups supporting the Plunge and expected to hop into the frigid waters for a good cause are the Danvers High girls basketball players and members of the Bishop Fenwick National Honors Society.

"Lifebridge is inspired by the tremendous community support of the Polar Plunge and is excited to have the event back again," Lifebridge North Shore President Jason Etheridge said. "We enjoy seeing all ages jump in the ocean with the intent of helping the most vulnerable."

The good news for those taking the Super Bowl Sunday splash is that it is forecast to be unseasonably warm with sun and high temperatures near 50 degrees.

Those interested in joining in and/or donating can still do so here.

Registration begins at 11 a.m. with the plunge set for 12:30 p.m.

There will be an after-party at Beverly High School immediately following the event.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)