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February 4, 2008

Gatherings: Chilling out for a cause

By Amanda McGregor

BEVERLY — A thunderous, roaring stampede could be heard echoing across Lynch Park yesterday.

More than 100 brave souls — cheered on by hundreds of onlookers — charged into the water for Beverly's second annual Polar Plunge to benefit the Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition and the River House homeless shelter.

Last year's event raised more than $12,000 for the organizations, and if this year's turnout was any indication (there were so many people you couldn't see the beach), the fundraiser was again a success.

"This year it's balmy," said Mickey Northcutt, executive director of the Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition, noting that temperatures were in the single digits at last year's plunge, compared to yesterday's 41-degree weather.

"It was truly awful last year," he said before preparing to dive in.

Plungers young and old took the dip, like 8-year-old Brendan Ward, who raised $600 on his own for the cause.

"(I thought) it would be a nice thing to do," said Brendan, a third-grader at Cove Elementary School.

The Rev. Sarah Frank, pastor of Immanuel Church in Beverly, plunged for the second year in a row with three members of her congregation who raised more than $500. To inspire members of the church to raise more money, the group agreed to wear Viking hats last year. This time, they sported sequined jester hats with bells.

"Homelessness is no joke," said Frank, making a pun on the hat, "and we're willing to be completely foolish in order to support this cause."

State Rep. Mary Grant, D-Beverly, checked in plungers at the registration table, while River House board member John Archer stood in plaid swimming trunks on the beach, holding a speaker and microphone and riling up the crowd before the countdown.

"It's not mandatory to dunk, but it's very important to go in all the way," Archer cheered.

Plungers thawed out after the 12:30 p.m. dip at a reception at the Cove Community Center with food and prizes.

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