OLCOTT BEACH — Thousands of people were in Olcott this afternoon as part of the 48th Olcott Polar Bear Swim For Sight.
Lake Ontario was unusually clear of ice for the first Sunday in March, but that didn’t mean the water was warm. The daytime high along the lake got into the mid-30s.
Organizers say about 500 people were slated to go into the water, each donating a minimum of $25 for the opportunity to freeze in public. Funds raised go to assist the Olcott Lions Club programs, including Glasses for the Sight Impaired, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Vision Beyond Sight, Eye Disease Research and Treatment, Diabetes Treatment and Research, Campaign Sight First, local food banks and soup kitchens, Olcott Fire Company, Olcott Carousel, and other Olcott community projects.
Bill Clark, Swim for Sight chairman for the Olcott Lions Club, said the organization increased efforts to get higher donations from swimmers. At least 19 people raised $1,000 or more. At least 40 people raised between $500 and $1,000. A larger portion of the fundraising was done online this year with swimmers encouraged to solicit donations through FirstGiving.com. Nearly $10,000 was raised in that fashion.
For more photos from today’s event, click here.
*All WNY News was a proud sponsor of the 48th Olcott Polar Bear Swim for Sight.
