Golf Tournament to be Hosted at Willowbrook Golf Club July 17

(WATERTOWN, N.Y.) – The Volunteer Transportation Center will once again benefit from “Rockin’ It For Bill,” an annual event which honors the life and philanthropy of the late William P. Plante.

“We’re incredibly excited for the return of Rockin’ It For Bill,” said Jeremiah S. Papineau, Foundation Director and Director of Communications for the Volunteer Transportation Center. “This event has helped so many nonprofits over the years and helped fund scholarships for so many local students. It was an honor when we were chosen as the new annual beneficiary of this event, along with the scholarships still being provided to students.”

“Rockin’ It For Bill” is an event that has been been held in various forms 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 prostate cancer. Mr. Plante was a beloved member of the North Country community, known for his commitment to helping others. He volunteered on various boards, coached lacrosse, and helped organize significant projects at Holy Family School and Immaculate Heart Central.

After Mr. Plante passed away, the William P. Plante Memorial Fund was established through the Northern New York Community Foundation to continue his legacy of giving back. Since the fund was established, and prior to last year’s event, community projects and organizations received generous funding, to the tune of $95,904. In 2020, the Volunteer Transportation Center was selected as a beneficiary, receiving $1,000 and, last year, the nonprofit was named the new annual nonrpofit beneficiary.

Though the focus on the nonprofit beneficiary has changed to help the Volunteer Transportation Center, the William P. Plante Memorial Fund continues to fund scholarships for two local high school students who demonstrate a similar passion to community service. Scholarships awarded to date have amounted to more than $15,000, helping graduating seniors.

“Rockin’ It For Bill” will be held Friday, July 17, 2026, at Willowbrook Golf Club, 25075 State Route 37, Watertown. The 18-hole tournament will follow a captain-and-crew format at a cost of $400 per team and be followed by dinner with live entertainment. The tournament, which will begin with a shotgun start at 10 a.m., will be limited to 32 teams. The event will also include a silent auction and a 50-50 raffle.

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.

Registration for the tournament is available by sending a check made payable directly to “NNY Community Foundation” and with “Rockin’ It For Bill Sponsorship” in the memo line to William P. Plante Memorial Fund, c/o Colello Air Technologies, 123 Coleman Avenue, Watertown, N.Y. 13601. Registration is also available through the William P. Plante Memorial Fund website, www.wppmemorialfund.org. Once there, click on the Rockin’ It For Bill tab and scroll down to the registration link.

Those interested in being a sponsor may contact Mackenzie Colello Thomas at 315-778-2340 or email wppmemorialfund@gmail.com. Registration for the tournament may also be done through Ms. Colello Thomas. 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 2025, volunteer drivers provided 25,533 charitable trips over 783,845 miles in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Of those miles, 294,999 helped those in Jefferson County, 80,033 in Lewis County, and 408,813 in St. Lawrence County. That equated to approximately $391,923 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.

PHOTO CAPTION

Michael Colello, of the William P. Plante Memorial Fund Advisory Committee, addresses the crowd at last year’s golf tournament in memory of the late William “Bill” Plante. Rockin’ It For Bill, the tournament in Mr. Plante’s memory, will take place at Willowbrook Golf Club in Watertown Friday, July 17, 2026.