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DAVID GREENHAM, from Readfield, reacts after his plunge as over 100 participated in the annual Polar Bear Plunge at the East End Beach in Portland on Saturday. More than 100 people took to the cold ocean waters off Portland in the name of global warming in the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s annual Polar Bear Plunge fundraiser. Saturday’s plunge was preceded by a 5-kilometer walk and run that ended at the beach. Organizers told the Portland Press Herald the event was expected to raise more than $16,000 in support of the group’s work to reduce pollution that contributes to global warming.
DAVID GREENHAM, from Readfield, reacts after his plunge as over 100 participated in the annual Polar Bear Plunge at the East End Beach in Portland on Saturday. More than 100 people took to the cold ocean waters off Portland in the name of global warming in the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s annual Polar Bear Plunge fundraiser. Saturday’s plunge was preceded by a 5-kilometer walk and run that ended at the beach. Organizers told the Portland Press Herald the event was expected to raise more than $16,000 in support of the group’s work to reduce pollution that contributes to global warming.
OLD ORCHARD BEACH (AP) — Hundreds of Mainers are greeting the new year by taking a plunge in the frigid ocean waters off Old Orchard Beach for the 24th annual cold-water fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics Maine.

The Lobster Dip is Maine’s original ocean plunge fundraiser, started by the Portland Rugby Club 24 years ago in Portland with about 15 people.

It is now held each New Year’s Day in Old Orchard Beach. Nearly 400 people took part last year, raising more than $100,000.

For those who don’t want to jump in the ocean, the event also has a “chicken lobster dip” — for those who are too chicken to go into the icy ocean but still want to raise money.


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