People are invited to usher in the new year with an exhilharating swim at Barrington Beach on Jan. 1.

The Barrington Business and Community Association’s first-ever “New Year’s Day Dip in the Bay” will combine a polar plunge with a fund-raiser.

Bryan Hoffman, a Barrington resident and chairman of the BBCA, said the event will raise money for Tap-In (Touch A Person In Need) and the Barrington Lions Club Scholarship Fund. 

Hoffman said he had been at a recent East Bay Chamber of Commerce meeting when people there started talking about the increased demand placed on area food shelters around the holiday season. 

“This will raise money to replenish the shelves after the holidays,” Hoffman said. Tap-In offers assistance to residents of East Providence, Barrington, Warren and Bristol.

Hoffman had also been talking with members of the Barrington Lions Club, and eventually they decided the plunge could help the club raise money for its scholarship, which benefits a local graduate each year. (The BBCA will write two checks in equal amounts to the charitable organizations.)

Hoffman, who is helping organize the BBCA event, said he is a bit hesitant to jump into the frigid water at Barrington Beach on New Year’s Day, but is motivated to help the two local causes. 

Hoffman has been encouraging other residents and local business owners to participate in this year’s event — some have accepted the challenge, while others are yet to respond to his emails and social media posts. 

Still, Hoffman is optimistic that people will step up and jump in. 

“It will be fun,” Hoffman said. 

The BBCA is asking people to visit www.barringtonbca.com and click on the link for the New Year’s Day Dip in the Bay. People can register for the swim — “They need to sign a waiver,” Hoffman said — and also make a donation. 

“You can donate and sign up, or you can donate and not sign up (for the swim),” Hoffman said. 

The BBCA official said he is aware of the other polar plunges that take place in Barrington on New Year’s Day, including a well-attended neighborhood event at Annawamscutt Beach. 

“We’re not trying to take away from that,” Hoffman said. 

The BBCA event will begin at 1 p.m. on Jan. 1, with the actual swim set for 1:30. Hoffman said he considered scheduling the event for noon, but first checked the tide chart — it showed that low tide will be at about 11 a.m. on Jan. 1.