There were almost 100 people gathered at Onset Beach on Sunday, Feb. 4, ready to plunge into the icy waters of Buzzards Bay.

Participants took the leap not just for fun or personal health, but also in support of the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay.

There has been a growing number of seals and endangered sea turtles in need of the center’s help. With the right amount of support, the center is able to effectively rehabilitate and release animals back to their ocean homes. 

The medications, foods and staff required to nurse them back to health can be expensive, and as Executive Director Connie Merigo often says, “They don’t have health insurance.”

All the proceeds from events like this Arctic Plunge go directly back to helping with the medical and rehabilitative care of injured, sick and stranded seals and sea turtles from across New England at the National Marine Life Center. 

At this year’s plunge, the festivities were accompanied by the musical stylings of The Catnip Junkies. 

Organizations involved thank Onset Fire and Rescue as well as the Department of Natural Resources for helping ensure the event could be held safely.