The water at Devereux Beach in Marblehead was a balmy 39.4 degrees Fahrenheit Sunday morning as dozens participated in the Merry Mixers first annual “Merry Dip” Polar Plunge, raising money to support pediatrics at Salem Hospital.

The nonprofit, started by a group of Marblehead Woman in 1950, focuses on raising money for pediatrics and family resources in the area. 

Since it was founded, the organization has raised more than $2 million for various programs and services at Salem Hospital, including  the expansion of Special Care Nursery, the hospital’s Family Resource Center. 

Just last year, the nonprofit made its largest donation ever to the hospital in an amount of $73,000 for artwork and murals to be hung up in the Epstein Center for Behavioral Health. 

The plunge was led by KyAnn Anderson-McKernan, a leader of the Marblehead Wolfpack, a cold water immersion group. Before running into the freezing water, she shared the wellness benefits of ice water. 

The event was sponsored by local businesses Eat Well Kitchen, Hooked Nutrition, Nordic Oasis, and Blue Canoe Marblehead, and all proceeds raised went directly toward the Merry Mixers yearly fundraising goal.