This Sunday, March 2, 2025, marks the 56th year that Western New Yorkers will brave the icy waters of Lake Ontario during the Olcott Polar Bear Swim in Olcott, New York. Since its inception in 1969, this event has become the oldest charity swim in New York State, predating Coney Island's charity fundraising efforts, which began in the mid-seventies.
The Olcott Polar Bear Swim has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support people in need throughout Western New York. This year and in the future, the swim event has expanded its fundraising capabilities to help other registered non-profits leverage the annual plunge as a tool for generating significant funding for their organizations.
The Lions Clubs, who manage the event and handle the logistics, split the proceeds 50/50. The aim is to share the success of the annual campaign with various non-profit organizations in need, year after year. Additionally, the Lions invite these non-profits to set up booths along the street to share their stories and raise awareness about their mission and efforts.
Everyone is invited to Olcott, NY, this Sunday to watch hundreds of swimmers, many participating for decades, take a plunge to support those in need. This year's event is expected to set a record for the coldest swim, with temperatures reaching a high of 22°F.
The Olcott Lions are part of a WNY district with over 45 Lions Clubs serving communities across Western New York. For more information, visit https://wnylions.org.
For more information about the swim visit https://plunge4wny.org
Sunday's Polar Bear Swim in Olcott Could be Coldest in its 56-years