Freezing lake attracts 73 swimmers and 500 spectators
Polar Bear Swim raises $10,000 for various causes
SILVER CREEK — Freezing waters helped raise thousands of dollars in cold cash Sunday at the eighth annual Silver Creek Polar Bear Swim held in Lake Erie at the Firemen’s Association on Jackson Street.
Preliminary totals of donations and pledges were about $10,000. Jeff Majtyka of Hamburg raised the most in pledges with more than $1,000.
Seventy-three people braved the waters and trudged up snow-covered embankments as hundreds of onlookers cheered.
This year’s event attracted people from throughout the area.
Variety Kids Telethon was the major beneficiary of the event. The Silver Creek Emergency Squad, Sunset Bay Fire Department and the Silver Creek Food Pantry also were given shares of the proceeds.
Sunset Bay firefighters won a prize for being the best-costumed group. They dressed as Vikings.
It’s a dare that brings shivers to even non-participants. More than 70 thick-skinned swimmers briefly braved Lake Erie’s frigid waters along Silver Creek to raise money for charity.
Pam Forge and Judi Kelly were co-chairwomen of the event.
“I think this is by far the best one we have ever had,” Forge said, adding that about 500 people came to look, but not swim.
In addition to the pledges raised by polar bear divers, the event featured fantasy blackjack tables, raffle prizes, a chili cook-off, food and live music.
Richard Smith, who cooks for the firemen’s club, topped 16 other entries to have his chili judged the best. The top four entries also included Shorewood Country Club of Dunkirk, Ellie’s Deli in Silver Creek and the Knights of Columbus Club in Hamburg.
Silver Creek Fire Chief Todd Johnson thanked the volunteers who helped coordinate the event and the 85 businesses in Western New York that donated prizes.
“We really appreciate everything the businesses did to help with this event,” he said.
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