On New Year’s Day, nearly 300 people showed up at Gooch’s Beach in Kennebunk and about half of those in attendance took a mid-winter swim in the Atlantic for the eighth annual Atlantic Plunge.

The plunge raised $20,000 for York County’s Domestic Violence Program through Caring Unlimited based in Sanford, which is shy of nearly $28,000 raised last year, but Community Support Coordinator Jill Barkley said the program usually sees money for the event filter in during the first few weeks of the year.  

Ocean Bank was named “Event Sponsor of the Year” as a result of their contribution of $3,500 to this year’s fundraiser. Other sponsors include: Kennebunk Savings Bank, The Buckley Group, Flotation Technologies, Saco and Biddeford Savings, Fred Church Insurance, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Osterman & Company and Resin Distribution. All sponsors are recognized for their contributions, which will support Caring Unlimited services for victims of domestic violence and their children in York County. 

The funds directly benefit the services provided to nearly 3,500 domestic violence victims in York County annually. Services include an emergency hotline, an emergency shelter, transitional housing and attorney fees. 

“We anticipated the fundraiser to be less this year considering the state of the economy and the weather conditions,” Barkley said. 

Despite a clear sunny morning, it was frigid to start 2009 with a wind chill of -10 degrees and a water temperature pushing 40 degrees. Barkley said organizers were advising participants to “just dip a toe in,” but was surprised to see the majority of people running toward the waves and diving in. 

With just one minute until 11 a.m., announcer Dan Wirtes instructed plungers to gather near the start line and begin undressing.

He also told family and friends to have towels ready for the swimmers as they emerged from the water.