KENNEBUNK — Sunday morning folks can jump into the ocean — greeting the New Year and helping out Caring Unlimited, York County’s domestic violence resource center. 

Ocean temperatures, on average, will be somewhere between 34 and 40 degrees that day, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA predicts 34 in Portland and 40 degree ocean temperatures in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, so no matter how you slice it — the water will be cold. But those who do it do so for the cause, organizers say.

The weather should be fine — NWS is forecasting mostly sunny skies on Sunday, with a high temperature of 41 degrees in Kennebunk.

First organized by a volunteer on New Year’s Day 2001, the Atlantic Plunge has grown to become a sustaining source for the programs and services offered by Caring Unlimited, according to spokeswoman Emily Gormley. Each year, CU serves 3,000 people.

The Atlantic Plunge allows Caring Unlimited to continue to provide  services like the 24-Hour Hotline, emergency sheltering, transitional housing, support and education groups, legal advocacy, school-based education and advocacy and community education and training, she said.

 “Each year, dozens of people ‘Take the Plunge,’ and collect pledges from family members, friends and co-workers,” said Gormley. 

She said pledges can be made online through participants’ personalized fundraising pages, or collected and turned in when participants check in at the event. 

This year, Gormley said the Plunger with the highest fundraising total by New Year’s Day will win a $250 gift card to LL Bean.

More information, including online registration, and fundraising information, is available on the events page at caring-unlimited.org. 

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.