Rock the City For Bill

The William P. Plante Memorial Fund Committee will host “Rock the City For Bill,” a golf tournament and concert at Thompson Park Golf Course in Watertown on Friday, July 18, 2025, to benefit the work of the Volunteer Transportation Center!

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.

Concerts tickets are available for purchase for $65 each. The cost of concert tickets includes access to the show and a dinner consisting of ziti, homemade meatballs, green beans, salad and dinner roll. Doors will open for the concert beginning at 5 p.m., with dinner to follow and the concert to begin at 6 p.m. Registration for the tournament DOES NOT include admission to the concert or dinner.

Details about Rock the City For Bill are available by contacting committee member Mackenzie Colello Thomas at 315-778-2340 or emailing her at bWFja2VuemllY29sZWxsbyB8IGdtYWlsICEgY29t.

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 THE EVENT

“Rock the City For Bill” is an annual event hosted each July since 2017, honoring the life and philanthropy of the late William P. 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. Since the William P. Plante Memorial Fund was established in 2017 through the Northern New York Community Foundation, community projects and organizations have received funding to the tune of $95,904. The fund also raises money for local William “Bill” Plante high school students who demonstrate a similar passion to community service.

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 .

Also check out other Sports events in Watertown, Concerts in Watertown, Music events in Watertown.