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VTC’s Jefferson-Lewis Golf Tournament Raises $28K to
Aid Transportation Services
Published: September 16, 2025
at 11:30 a.m.
By: Press Release from Volunteer Transportation
Center
VTC’s Jefferson-Lewis Golf Tournament Raises $28K to
Aid Transportation Services
 LOWVILLE, NY– The Volunteer
Transportation Center Foundation’s Annual Volunteer Transportation Center
Jefferson-Lewis Golf Tournament, which marked its 10th year, has been
deemed a huge success.
The tournament –
hosted at Cedars Golf Course in Lowville Sept. 6 – saw a record 48 teams
compete and raised a record $28,000 to help the VTC provide transportation
to those in need in Jefferson and Lewis Counties.
“This was our
best year yet,” said Jeremiah S. Papineau, the nonprofit organization’s
Director of Communications and Foundation Director. “Despite a slightly
rainy forecast, all 48 teams that signed up showed up for a great day on
the course to support the work of the Volunteer Transportation Center. We
were blown away by the amount of support we received this year.”
The tournament,
which followed a captain and crew format, saw a team led by Todd LaRock
take first place in the A Flight with a score of 55, after matching cards.
Following in second place was a team led by Steve Cooley with a 55 and, in third place, a team led by Patrick Lindsay,
with a 56.
In
the B Flight, Rob and the Misfits, a team led by Robert Smith,
took first place with a score of 58. Following in second place was a team
led by Dennis Seubert with a 59, and, in third place, was a team led by
Greg Millard with a 59.
In the Co-Ed
Flight, after matching cards, a team led by Gina Cooley took first place
with a score of 57. Following in second place, was a team led by Jeff Bush,
also with a 57 and, in third place, a team led by Justin Taylor with a 58.
Mr. Papineau
stated the tournament – which raises money for mileage reimbursement for
VTC volunteer drivers to make trips happen for people in the community –
was a success because of everyone involved.
“It was everyone
from the golfers to our sponsors to those who donated items for our raffles
to the amazing people at Cedars. We can’t thank J.R. Chamberlain and his
staff enough,” said Mr. Papineau.
The tournament
included a chicken barbecue dinner prepared by members of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post 7227 in Carthage, with assistance from VTC Regional
Program Director Terra Thompson, who volunteered to make side dishes for
the event. In addition, desserts were made and donated by Anita Henry.
“We can’t thank
the folks at the VFW enough or Terra and her band of volunteers,” said Mr.
Papineau. “Each year, Anita makes and donates the desserts. She definitely makes this event even better because of her
generosity.”
Following the
tournament, a drawing was held for a $1,000 American Airlines gift card
generously donated by Watertown International Airport. Tickets were sold
for the drawing throughout the year and the
winning ticket was pulled, with the gift card going to R.J. Lewis.
This year’s
tournament was underwritten by Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield, Watertown
Savings Bank, Stewart’s Shops, and Advanced Business Systems, with Eagle
Level sponsorship from the Kinney Drugs Foundation and OneDigital/Benefit
Services Group. Additional sponsors included Albatross Level sponsor
Atlantic Testing Laboratories and Service Plus Automotive; Eagle Level
sponsors Carthage Area Hospital, Colello Air Technologies, Staie on the
Seaway/Appraisals USA, The Bonadio Group, and Mr. Bruce Moser; Birdie Level
sponsors Boondocks Restaurant and Bar, Carthage Savings and Loan, Fuller
Insurance Agency and RBC Wealth Management; Par Level sponsors Bonaparte
Pharmacy, Johnson Lumber LLC, Chang’s Barber Shop, Homes Realty of Northern
New York, i2i Automotive Repair, Lewis County Health System, Omnia Advanced
Materials, QubicaAMF, and Viking Cives USA. Hole-in-one prizes, which were not won,
consisted of a $500 gift card provided by Price Chopper, $1,000 cash prize
from Riverside Motors, and 2025 Ford Lightning pick-up truck. Additional
support was provided by Emerald Greens Golf Course of Gouverneur.
Raffle prizes and
other donations were provided by Atlantic Testing Laboratories, Bear World,
Blinky’s Liquors, Boondocks Restaurant and Bar, Cedar Hedge Farm, Cedars
Golf Course, Colwell’s Farm Market , Crossroads
Tavern, Crumbs. Bakeshop, Duffy’s Digs Jewelry, Dutchman Auto, Eddie’s Meat
Market, Elm Diner, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Five Corners Greenhouse,
Good Ol’ Wishy’s, Griff’s Redemption Center, Hair
& There, Harrisville Hardware, Hill’s Hometown Car Wash, Kinney Drugs,
Lewis Lanes, Little Friends Veterinary Services, Lloyd’s of Lowville,
Lowville Farmers Co-Op, Marino’s Pizzeria, O’Brien Dairy, PB&J Café,
Pioneer Café, Sam’s Club, Sherwin Williams, Snow Ridge Ski Resort, The
Brick Oven Inn, The Cottage Inn, The Morning Ritual, The Mystic River Cafe,
The Village Inn, Tops Friendly Markets, Town Hall Theater, Tractor Supply,
Treat Yourself Nutrition , Treats and Tiques, Tug
Hill Artisan Roasters, Tug Hill Estate, Tunes 92.5/Intrepid Broadcasting,
Tyro Automotive, Up North Lumber Company, Vinny’s Pizzeria, Walmart
Supercenter, Watertown Daily Times, Wine & Spirits at 130 Main, Ms.
Jeannie Fuller, Ms. Laurie Gleason, Mr. Lloyd Hurlbut, Ms. Nettie
Mothersell, Mr. Jeremiah Papineau, and Mr. Sam Purington. Additional
support was provided by Sam’s Club and Monster Energy.
The date for next
year’s tournament is slated for Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Cedars Golf
Course. Details will be forthcoming as the date approaches.
PHOTO: Volunteer
Transportation Center Executive Director Sam Purington addresses the crowd
prior to the start of the 10th Annual Volunteer Transportation Center
Jefferson-Lewis Golf Tournament at Cedars Golf Course in Lowville on Sept.
6. The tournament raised $28,000 for the VTC.
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.
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