By Suzanne Hodgson
Staff Writer

There were people who kept their clothes on until the last minute, those who ran up and down the beach and even a few in ballroom gowns, but the result was still the same.
“I can’t feel my feet,” said Sean Bilodeau, 22, on Gooch’s Beach Saturday morning.
Hundreds turned out to watch and participate in the ninth annual Atlantic Plunge hosted by Caring Unlimited, York County’s domestic abuse shelter.
This year the shelter raised $21,000 from sponsorship and pledges, according to Emily Flowers, Caring Unlimited public awareness and community support coordinator. Last year the shelter raised $23,000.
Some of the 72 dippers were sponsored by friends, family and co-workers to help the shelter raise money for the 24-hour hotline and the 18-bed shelter. Ocean Bank, Saco and Biddeford Savings and American Styrenics along with other companies also donated to the cause.
The dip is normally held on New Year’s Day, but this year the Kennebunk Fire and Rescue department suggested postponing the dip because of an astronomically high tide and foul weather that sent waves crashing into the sea wall at Kennebunk Beach.
The postponement didn’t mean warmer weather and it also didn’t mean fewer supporters.
Alexis Burtholomew and Josh Allarie, both 16, came out in support of their Massabesic High School Young Adults Dating Abuse Club in Waterboro, but others came just to run into the Atlantic Ocean in January.
“Why not?” said Sarah Kwiatek, 18, “I came out for the excitement of the dip.”
Also exciting to dippers and spectators was the presence of local beauty queens.
Many glittering crowns could be spotted running toward the ocean as Mrs. Maine International Kelly Howe,  her daughter Ms. Teen Maine Morgan Howe, Maine Apple Queen Courtney Hammond and many junior princesses took a chilly dip.
Howe and her daughter spent time in the Caring Unlimited shelter after Howe’s first husband became abusive.
Now both Howes are using their crowns to help others in need. Kelly Howe’s platform as Mrs. Maine International is domestic violence.
Morgan Howe, whose platform is also domestic violence, works with Crowns of Courage, an organization that allows the mother-daughter team to speak to children and adults who have been in abusive relationships. At the end of every meeting both women hand out tiara pins.
“The rhinestone tiara is a symbol of hope and courage,” said Kelly Howe.
The mother-daughter team is hoping to use their crowns to help others who have been affected by domestic violence, and the dip is only the beginning.
“I’m going to start actually working with Caring Unlimited. I’m hoping to do some speaking events soon,” Howe said.
Caring Unlimited has been helping victims of domestic violence since 1977, when a couple of women from York County decided to form the organization to help friends find safety from abuse.
Along with a shelter for domestic violence victims and their children, Kelly Howe said the organization helped her with support from women who told her the abuse was wrong.
“At the time I thought ‘I don’t have a job’ but they helped me find an apartment that was subsidized. They helped me get on WIC, the heat was paid for, and they helped get me food stamps,” said Kelly Howe. “I wasn’t proud, it was embarrassing.”
Caring Unlimited’s Web site, www.caring-unlimited.org, offers more information on dealing with domestic violence including information on raising children in a domestic abuse atmosphere, a personalized planning list on what’s needed if you leave an abusive relationship and legal assistance.
The site also has a quick exit button to re-route onto a Google search page and information on how to clear computer browser history to protect women from partners who may be suspicious or controlling.
For help with domestic abuse, call the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-239-7298.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.