Registration is open for this year’s Plunge for a Purpose on New Year’s Day at Pemaquid Beach in New Harbor. This fundraiser supports programs that guide local kids off the grid and into their hearts. Hearty Roots offers year-round school partnerships, campouts and day camps, creating meaningful mentorships and connecting kids to the natural world.

"On January 1, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants will dash courageously into the ocean for a dramatic start to the new year," said Hearty Roots, in a news release.

Heaters, warm drinks and access to the dressing rooms at the Park will be available for thawing out and bundling back into toasty clothing.

Plunge for a Purpose sign-up fees, along with optional crowdfunded donations, will bolster Hearty Roots’ scholarship fund, which is designed to ensure a no-barrier and no-questions-asked process when families request a sliding fee scale during registration; over half of Hearty Roots camper families benefit from a tuition subsidy.

Generous event sponsors include Wiscasset Family Medicine, Waterstruck Community Nordic Spa and Sauna, Main Street Grocery, Bangor Savings Bank, Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, Renys, Masters Machine Company, and the Damariscotta-Newcastle Rotary Club. Bristol Parks and Rec kindly donate use of Pemaquid Beach facilities.

"Hearty Roots is deeply grateful for all of its supporters," said the release.

"For anyone ready to celebrate New Year’s Day in dramatic style, Plunge for a Purpose ensures a memorable experience and bragging rights!" said Hearty Roots.

To learn more, and to register for the Plunge for a Purpose, go to https://www.heartyroots.org/plunge-for-a-purpose. Any questions can be sent to Ali at ali@heartyroots.org.

To learn more about Hearty Roots, go to www.heartyroots.org. There, one can also find information about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. The Hearty Roots crew welcomes anyone to stop by their office headquarters at 18 Water Street, an in-town presence made possible by the generous, community-minded team at First National Bank.