After all, it’s like a heatwave after a warmup to 19 degrees, right?

That sort of thinking hopefully helped some of the 40 swimmers take the plunge Sunday during the 17th annual Silver Creek Polar Bear Swim for Charity, which took place five minutes before the Buffalo Bills’ huge playoff game against Jacksonville began. Chants of “Let’s go Buffalo” filled the balmy air behind the Firehouse on the Lake right before people took the dive, with some swimmers taking Bills-emblazoned clothing and flags in with them.Chautauqua County’s Dark Knight, George Borrello, raised the most pledge money this year with over $1,400. Borrello doubles as the county executive when he is not keeping the streets of Gotham City safe from all manners of mayhem.

“It wasn’t the worst the lake has been for me, and it’s actually better when it’s colder because you go numb quicker,” he said in his Batman outfit. “While in the water, I was able to (high five and) say thank you to the first responders in there assisting us. These are some great causes that we raise money for and it’s nice we were able to hold an exciting event such as this, even on a day like (Sunday with the big Bills game).”

Another member of the Chautauqua County Justice League accompanied Borrello into the frigid water: Superman, whose alter ego is District 11 Legislator Dave Wilfong.

Sonja and Lester Ormsby of Sunset Bay showed up to the 17th annual Silver Creek Polar Bear Swim for Charity in smaller, cardboard versions of the USS Little Rock and the Edward Cotter Fireboat.

The USS Little Rock and the Edward Cotter Fireboat also made appearances at the swim – in smaller, cardboard versions. The two vessels were steered by Sunset Bay residents Sonja and Lester Ormsby, respectively.

“I couldn’t bring the boat with me into the water because of the ice on the drop-off, but I did go in and the firefighters helped me,” Sonja noted, adding this is her 10th year and Lester’s 11th year of participating in the swim. “It was definitely a bit cold!”

Lester actually proposed to Sonja at the polar bear swim two years ago, making the event all the more special for the two of them. The couple won the title of best-dressed swimmers this year.

Nearly $7,000 was raised this year, which co-organizer Pamela Forge admitted isn’t as much as was raised in previous years, but pointed out is “more than we had yesterday.”

The swim benefits Oishei Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, the Silver Creek Emergency Squad and Fire Department, Sunset Bay Volunteer Fire Department and the Silver Creek Food Pantry.

Some swimmers at the 17th annual Silver Creek Polar Bear Swim for Charity took Buffalo Bills-emblazoned clothing and flags into the lake with them to celebrate the team’s playoff appearance.

“Our usual swimmer who generates the most money took this year off, but hopefully we will see a return for next year,” Forge stated. “We would like to thank everyone who swam and all the fire and rescue squads who directed traffic and were on standby. They always make sure it’s a safe swim.”

After the dip in the lake, the swimmers returned to the firehouse to warm up, eat food and watch the Bills game.

Forge charged all Bills fans with donating to the cause now that they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton’s charity after his game-winning pass on New Year’s Eve. That pass solidified the Bills’ return to the playoffs after 17 years.

“We need to have some local donations for worthy causes around here, too!” she stressed. “It’s important to have Oishei’s Hospital – a hospital of that caliber – in our community to take care of our children, plus the rescue squad and fire departments give of their time unconditionally, and that’s what this event is all about.”

Anyone who would like to donate to the polar bear swim’s cause can still contact Forge at pforge@exploreny.net or 934-3775. They may also go on the Polar Bear Swim for Charity Facebook page and donate through the children’s hospital donation page.

Email: editorial@observertoday.com. Twitter: @gfoxnews