CenterPlate presents check to the Potsdam Humane Society. From left CenterPlate’s executive chef Danielle Moody, catering sales manager Ashley O’Reilly, sous chef Matthew Roberts, general manager Robert Zborowski; Potsdam Humane Society’s Tina Flanagan, Betty Wolf, Susan Kramer, Bonnie Preyer and Ruth Huckle; kneeling are Regina Caswell, Jessica Slapper, Alysia Maynard, and Alvin.

POTSDAM – Since last October, more than 100 volunteers from the Potsdam Humane Society, Gouverneur’s Friends 4 Pound Paws and Yellow Lake Rescue raised over $17,000.

The money was raised by participating in a fundraising opportunity provided by the catering service Centerplate, a hospitality partner of the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), in Lake Placid.

“I am impressed by the many folks who stepped up to make this series of events so successful,” said Betty Wolf, who coordinated the volunteers. “Special thanks go out to SUNY Potsdam’s Geology Club, SUNY Canton’s Vet Tech Club, and Norwood-Norfolk Central School’s Key Club for providing dozens of additional volunteers. We all had a great time and are looking forward to next year,” she said.

Hundreds of hotdogs, plenty of pretzels, pounds of popcorn, and more were sold by volunteers manning Centerplate’s concession stands at Whiteface Mountain, the Olympic Jumping Complex, and Olympic Sports Complex. A percentage of these concession sales went directly to the three programs to support their activities.

Among the events volunteers had ringside seats at were Whiteface Mountain’s Oktoberfest, the World Cup Freestyle Jumping at the Jumping Complex, and Stars on Ice, Synchronized Figure Skating, and the ECAC Hockey Championships at the Herb Brooks Arena.

“Centerplate has become an important partner in providing funds to maintain and expand the work we do here at the shelter,” said Alysia Maynard, Potsdam Humane Society’s executive director said. “In addition to helping us defray the costs of caring for our furry friends, Betty and her volunteers enabled us to install a much needed grooming station at no cost to our local community,” she said.

Anyone interested in volunteering for next season’s events can contact the humane society at 265-3199 or shelter@potsdamhumanesociety.org.