While the president of the Plattsburgh Noon Kiwanis Club and Brennan Buick/GMC were the winners in the Celebrity and Industry divisions, respectively, in the recent 14th Annual Rotary bed races in Plattsburgh, the BIG winners of this event will be the community. The Rotary Club of Plattsburgh raised over $8,500 from sponsorships in the club’s annual bed races prior to the Battle of Plattsburgh parade on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. Linda Brienza, Rotarian and bed race committee co-chair, said this year’s sponsorships brings the total raised during the past 14 annual races to over $100,000. “It was a great club and community effort once again to make this event a success,” said Brienza.
Large Number of Student-Athletes Push Beds for Celebrities, Sponsors
Twenty-four teams, including three teams of student-athletes from Clinton Community College (men’s basketball) and 21 from SUNY Plattsburgh (athletes in track & field, men’s and women’s hockey, basketball, baseball, and men’s & women’s lacrosse) pushed the beds down the street and back for the sponsors.
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In the “Celebrity” races, North Country Senator Dan Stec and Assemblyman Billy Jones, Plattsburgh City Mayor Chris Rosenquest, Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman, and YMCA CEO Justin Ihne were a few of the local celebrities participating. Kiwanis Club’s Wendell Hughes, with the assist from the Cardinals Men’s Baseball Team, won the Golden Bed Pan in the final heat of the “Celebrity” races.
Shea Brennan of Brennan Buick/GMC, with the pushing power of the Cardinals Men’s Lacrosse Team, traversed the finish line winning the “Industry” division.
Bed Race Committee Co-Chair Vicki Marking said, "The bed races bring together local politicians, industry leaders, college athletes and our very own Rotarians all working together to create a fun family event. With their support and our generous sponsors we are able to raise a significant amount to donate back to our community.
Ed Kirby, Rotary club president, said, “The biggest take away for me was seeing so many spectators enjoying the bed race. To have that many people focused and wearing a smile is an awesome thing to see.”
Real Winner is the Community - Local Funding for Various Programs
The Rotary Club of Plattsburgh, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, has over 135 active and honorary members. The local club distributes funds from its various events among many of the club’s beneficiaries.
In the past, funding has supported academic scholarships for SUNY Plattsburgh, Clinton Community College and CVPH Medical Center Radiology School; and monies to assist the Beartown Ski Area, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, local school district student programs, and other worthy causes.