(WATERTOWN, N.Y.) – The Volunteer Transportation Center will benefit from “Rock the City For Bill,” an annual event which honors the life and philanthropy of the late William P. Plante.
“Rock the City For Bill” is an event that has been hosted each July since 2017 to honor the life of Mr. Plante, who was deeply involved in serving his community for more than 30 years until his passing in 2016 after a brave four-year battle with cancer.
“My father was a beloved member of the North Country community, known for his commitment to helping others,” said Mr. Plante’s son, Ryan W. Plante. “He volunteered on various boards, coached lacrosse, and helped organize significant projects at Holy Family School and Immaculate Heart Central. After he passed away from prostate cancer eight years ago, the William P. Plante Memorial Fund was established to continue his legacy of giving back.”
Since the fund in his name was established through the Northern New York Community Foundation, community projects and organizations have received generous funding, to the tune of $95,904. In 2020, the Volunteer Transportation Center was selected as a beneficiary, receiving $1,000.
“I still remember when Mike and Jeany [Colello] reached out to us to let us know we would be receiving proceeds from the committee, which that year, wasn’t able to host their usual musical boat cruise because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Volunteer Transportation Center Foundation Director Jeremiah S. Papineau, referring to Mr. Plante’s longtime friends and William P. Plante Memorial Fund Advisory Committee members.
Though the boat cruise wouldn’t return until 2021 – and later switch to its current format of being a golf tournament and concert – the committee still wanted to keep the giving tradition going, even during the pandemic.
“We were so touched, especially when we heard them speak of the man Bill was and how he helped the community. It was truly an honor,” said Mr. Papineau, adding that feeling continues with the VTC being selected as the nonprofit to receive funds from the event each year.
“We are incredibly thankful to the committee to select us to receive funds raised each year,” he said.
Though the focus on the nonprofit beneficiary will change to help the VTC Foundation, the William P. Plante Memorial Fund will continue to fund scholarships for two local high school students who demonstrate a similar passion to community service. Scholarships awarded to date have amounted to $14,000, helping graduating seniors.
“This year’s event will continue to help fund scholarships for two local students who, like my father, exemplify a dedication to community service and making a positive impact on others,” said Ryan W. Plante.
With the new partnership with the VTC cemented and the continued focus set on providing scholarships to local students, the advisory committee has its sights set on the event itself as it celebrates its 9th year. “Rock the City For Bill” will return, this time, with an 18-hole golf tournament at Thompson Park Golf Course in Watertown and a concert featuring Josh Cox and the Rattlesnakes. Both the tournament and the concert will take place at Thompson Park Golf Course Friday, July 18, 2025. The tournament will have a captain and crew format at a cost of $400 per team. The tournament will be limited to 36 teams. A vehicle prize will once again be offered for a hole-in-one prize, courtesy of Drive America, thanks to Steve Knight. In addition, first, second and third place prizes will be offered, as well as Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin. The day will start with registration at 9 a.m. and following with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. Doors will open for the concert beginning at 5 p.m., with dinner to follow and the concert to begin at 6 p.m. Concerts tickets will be available for purchase soon for $65 each.
Details about Rock the City For Bill will be forthcoming but those wishing to express their interest in advance may reach out to committee member Mackenzie Colello Thomas at 315-778-2340 or email her at mackenziecolello@gmail.com.
Those wishing to give to the William P. Plante Memorial Fund may do so at www.wppmemorialfund.org. More information is also available on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wppmemorialfund.
ABOUT WILLIAM “BILL” PLANTE
William “Bill” Plante was born on November 29, 1957 in Watertown N.Y., the son of Paul and Phyllis Burns Plante. Bill was raised in Watertown with his three siblings, Stephen, John and Nancy. He was a 1976 graduate of Immaculate Heart Central High School where he played lacrosse and football. Upon graduation, he attended Morrisville Community College and graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Studies in 1984 from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University.
On December 30, 1983, he married the love of his life, Judith Lynn Coleman, at Holy Family Church. Bill and Judi had four children that they raised in Watertown — Ryan, Kyle, Aimee and Cole. Bill raised his children to love many of the same things he was passionate about. His biggest passion was perhaps the outdoors. Whether it be camping, hiking, kayaking, running or biking he was always happiest enjoying nature and being active.
Bill often volunteered his time to support his local community and church. In 2016, he was the recipient of the Friends of IHC School Award in recognition for his hard work and dedication to IHC. He had previously served on the school boards of Holy Family and IHC as well as the Board of Directors for the Thompson Park Conservancy for eight years. Bill loved lacrosse and spent many years organizing and coaching youth lacrosse in the area.
Giving back to his community was something that Bill took pride in throughout his life in Watertown. This is why the William P. Plante Memorial Fund was established, to honor Bill and continue his legacy of giving back to the community.
ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION CENTER
The Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc. (VTC), established in 1991, drives thousands of miles each year assisting community members in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties and beyond. Over the last 30 years, this essential non-profit organization has provided rides to health care appointments, food sources and other critical needs destinations for residents.
In 2024, volunteer drivers provided 25,478 charitable trips over 876,509 miles in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Of those miles, 318,320 helped those in Jefferson County, 112,852 in Lewis County, and 445,337 in St. Lawrence County. That equated to approximately $438,255 in mileage reimbursement for our volunteers. That’s why the community’s help is so important.
The staff, boards of directors and volunteer drivers look forward to a time when transportation to community activities and services is accessible to all North Country residents regardless of economic or specialized needs. But for now the mission drives on — striving to provide transportation to health, wellness and critical needs destinations utilizing volunteers and mobility management for anyone who has barriers to transportation.
For more information about how you can help the Volunteer Transportation Center, about its upcoming events, or to become a volunteer driver, contact the agency in Jefferson and Lewis Counties at 315-788-0422, in St. Lawrence County at 315-714-2034, or Western New York at 585-250-5030. Volunteers drive their own cars, set their own hours and receive mileage reimbursement but, more importantly, make a difference in the community. To learn more, visit www.volunteertransportationcenter.org.