X

Rivals Canton, Potsdam begin 'face-off' to see which can raise the most scholarship funding

Posted 1/25/11

Long-time rivals from Canton and Potsdam are ready to compete in an effort to benefit students in both towns. The Canton Golden Bear Education Foundation and the Potsdam Sandstoner Foundation will …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Rivals Canton, Potsdam begin 'face-off' to see which can raise the most scholarship funding

Posted

Long-time rivals from Canton and Potsdam are ready to compete in an effort to benefit students in both towns.

The Canton Golden Bear Education Foundation and the Potsdam Sandstoner Foundation will begin the Golden Bear/Sandstoner Foundation Face-Off 2011 with a ceremonial face-off at 7 p.m., Jan. 26 at Potsdam’s Pine Street Arena, at a hockey game between the two boys’ varsity teams.

The competition will see which foundation can boast the highest number of donations from alumni and community members between Jan. 26 and Feb. 28.

North Country Savings Bank has generously started the giving by pledging $500 to each foundation. The one with the most donors will claim bragging rights and an additional $500 prize from an anonymous donor. Gifts of any size count towards the challenge.

“This should be a fun and entertaining way to help raise money for the two Foundations,” said Sandstoner Foundation President Timothy Dempsey. “Growing up, students from both schools have always enjoyed the competition between these rivals. This will be a great way to see whose alumni and community members remain the most loyal. And, of course, the Sandstoners are looking forward to a victory.”

“St. Lawrence University and Hobart and William Smith Colleges recently conducted a similar challenge with great success,” said Canton Golden Bear Education Foundation President Evan Poole. “Both schools say it was a lot of fun and the challenge really inspired their alumni to give. I’m sure we’ll see a similar reaction from the ‘Route 11 Rivals.’ The Golden Bears are confident we’ll finish with the higher number of donors.”

Both Foundations thanked North Country Savings Bank for jump-starting the challenge.

“North Country Savings Bank has been serving and supporting its customers and communities for nearly 100 years,” said North Country Savings Bank President and CEO David C. Swanson. “We’re pleased to be participating in this challenge and hopefully inspiring alumni, community members, and other businesses to support the students in both schools.”

Alumni and friends from both schools are encouraged to visit their respective foundation’s website -- http://www.potsdam.k12.ny.us/sandstonerfoundation/ or http://www.gbfound.org/ -- or their Facebook pages. Donations can be made online or in person at the Jan. 26 game, or at a North Country Savings Banks in Potsdam or Canton.

Donors wishing to send a gift via check to the Sandstoner Foundation can mail it to: Potsdam Sandstoner Foundation, PO Box 264, Potsdam, NY 13676.

Donors wishing to send a gift via check to the Canton Golden Bear Education Foundation can mail it to: Canton Golden Bear Education Foundation, PO Box 174, Canton, NY 13617.

Updates on which foundation is leading the challenge will be announced periodically throughout the competition.

The Sandstoner Foundation, established in 2000, has provided more than $170,000 in awards and scholarships to graduating seniors at Potsdam High School who are continuing their education by attending college or entering the military. The Sandstoner Foundation has 23 named scholarships and awards which are given out each year and are funded by generous contributions made by families, friends, and community members.

"We want alumni to understand that gifts of all sizes are important, and this is a fun way to get that message out,” added Dempsey. “Through this challenge, alumni are truly showing their pride. We’re hoping to see many first-time donors and some who have previously given.”

The Canton Golden Bear Education Foundation was established in 2008 to accept and administer gifts for charitable purposes, providing enrichment and enhancement of education programs and opportunities for students, by securing and distributing financial and other resources for the Canton Central School District and its students. Donations can be targeted directly to areas such as academics, arts and music, athletics and extracurricular activities, or unrestricted funds.