Erja Lipponen’s Wander Women at Crawford Lake in Union with ice chisels, axes and saws, after a sauna, as part of the “Love Ourselves” fundraiser. Front from left are Mary Gordon, Autumn Cipala, Sarah Swajkos, Carla Armbuster and Amy Fisher. Back from left are Kerry Hadley, Amanda Beal and Miska Järvinen.  Photo by Erja Lipponen

Cold water dipping groups gathered at frozen ponds and chilly beaches from Brooklin to York to support Maine domestic abuse victims Feb. 9 as part of the second annual “Love Ourselves” fundraiser for Finding Our Voices, the statewide grassroots nonprofit breaking the silence of domestic abuse and providing resources to its sister survivors.

The group’s color is yellow for the light it brings to Maine women victims/survivors, and dippers carried out the theme with yellow flower hats, feather boas, bathing suits and caps, and sunglasses, according to a news release from Patrisha McLean, CEO and founder of Finding Our Voices.

Participating groups choose their own time of the day for their dip, and also their own way to raise money for Finding Our Voices.

Hundreds of women, in addition to children and male supporters, braved the snowstorm to raise money for critical items empowering Maine women to get out and stay out of dangerous intimate partner situations. These include emergency short-term shelter, car repairs, legal help, home security systems, and payment of overdue utility and storage unit bills.

At Long Pond on Mount Desert, Cold Tits Warm Hearts dipped in a huge heart dug out of foot-thick ice. At Crawford Lake in Union, Erja Lipponen’s Wander Women partook of a sauna before dipping in the hole they carved with ice chisels, axes and saws.

In Brooklin, the winds were whipping at the 9 a.m. time set by Cold Moon Selkies, but hot chocolate was on hand for those who managed to access Naskeag Point through the piles of snow. The dippers with Saltwater Mountain Company in York wore yellow flower hats with their dry robes and gloves, and warmed up with a fire on the beach.

Other participating dipping groups included Wicked Nippy Dippahs and Flock of Seagals at Rockport Harbor, Maine Sea Sisters at Lincolnville Beach, Blue Loons in Blue Hill and Stone Cold Dippers in Stonington.

On Monday, donations were still coming in, with $1,600 raised from the Brooklin Dip alone through Sarah Havener’s GoFundMe page.

For more information visit findingourvoices.net.

Check out other upcoming area events!