Rotary Bed Races Go to Men’s Basketball Team 36 Sponsors, Teams Raise $6,000 for Community Causes

Thanks to our Generous Bed Race Sponsors Fleet Admiral Sponsors Commodore Sponsors Captain Sponsors Alumni Association Media Sponsors

PLATTSBURGH, NY __ The SUNY Plattsburgh Men’s Basketball Team, sponsored by McSweeney Orthodontists, raced to first place in the Second Annual Plattsburgh Rotary Bed Races, Saturday, Sept. 10. The races were part of the Battle of Plattsburgh festivities in downtown Plattsburgh, Sept. 10. The team donated the $500 first place cash prize to the March of Dimes Foundation. (Click here for more photos)

The second and third place teams, also from SUNY Plattsburgh, donated their cash prizes to charitable foundations as well. The second place Men’s Lacrosse Team, which was sponsored by EyeCare for the Adirondacks, gave its $250 cash prize to St. Baldrick's Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.

The Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Team, sponsored by Casella’s Waste Management, donated its third place $100 prize to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life program.

Courtney Chandler, co-chair of the bed races, said the event was a huge success. “We couldn’t have asked for better weather, and there was a great turnout of spectators.”
Chandler said 36 teams participated in the races this year, which raised just over $6,000 which will be used for many worthy causes in the community.

In the Best Themed-Entered Bed Contest, a golden bed pan and $150 were awarded to two entries –Agency Insurance and Mark Tiffer.

College Teams, Sponsors Made Races Exciting
“Many of these beds were sponsored by local businesses or individuals and were raced by teams of students from SUNY Plattsburgh and Clinton Community College,” said Ashley Cousens, bed race co-chair. “This teaming up of businesses and students is really what makes the race exciting,”
Cousens said sponsors were an integral part of the day’s success.

“A special thanks go to the National Guard, our Fleet Admiral sponsor; our Commodore Level sponsors Best Western/Ground Round, UFirst FCU, and CVPH along with the Captains Sponsors – Champlain National Bank, Agency Insurance, Eye Care for the Adirondacks, Monaghan, Raymond James, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers/NECA, SUNY Plattburgh Alumni Association, RC Construction – along with media sponsor Y106.3.”

Cousens said, “We also want to thank the other bed sponsors and all of the Rotarians who put their time and effort into planning, organizing and volunteering their time the day of the event. The bed races would not have been possible without all of their help.”

Proceeds from the bed races and other Plattsburgh Rotary Club events support community programs and organizations like Beartown Ski Area, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, Plattsburgh Little League, YMCA, Literacy Volunteers, North Country Mission of Hope, and academic scholarships for students attending SUNY Plattsburgh, Clinton Community College and CVPH Medical Center Radiology School.