The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Inaugural Cow Pie Derby fundraiser
The old-fashioned, derbystyle fun raised money for the Oneida Healthcare Cancer Care Fund.
SHERRILL, N.Y. >> The inaugural Cow Pie Derby was held Sunday, Aug. 4 at the Community Action Center in Sherrill. Attendees dressed in their best Derby attire, complete with decorated hats, to listen to live music, and enjoyed the day as they waited for the “cow pie” to happen on the cow pie derby court.
The lawn at the CAC was transformed into a grid of land parcels for two cows from SUNY Morrisville to roam free. Supporters of the event purchased tickets allowing them to “own a parcel of land” and donate to the Cancer Care Fund. The cows arrived to the sounds of D’funk’d, a ninemember party band who entertained the crowd with their lively funk and horn music and to get the cows motivated to lay stake in their land with a cow pie. In true Cow Pie Derby fashion, there were five cow pies and five happy parcel owners.
“It was a great event, successful in raising money for a great cause and a beautiful day seeing families enjoying the lawn games,” said Heather Friend of Oz Auto Transport. “I look forward to people realizing that it is a great family friendly event and more people attending.”
The Central New York band Grit and Grace also performed their unique blend of high energy country, rock and dancemusic for people of all ages to enjoy.
“It was a day of fun for heroes by building awareness of Jessica’s Heroes and raising money for the Cancer Care Fund, which helps cancer patients cover costs like gas bills and groceries as they are going through their treatment,”
said Carrie Earl, organizer of the event.
The event was hosted by Oneida Healthcare Foundation and sponsored by Service Master by Ross and land use donated by the city of Sherrill. Proceeds fromthe event go to Oneida Healthcare Cancer Care Fund, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients. Funds are available to all those that live in the area, wherever they are receiving treatment.
Overall the committee stated that this was a successful event and they look forward to adding to the Cancer Care fund.
“This is in inaugural year for the event and we look forward to next year’s Cow Pie Derby,” said committee member Susan Jones. “But most important, we want you to know that we care about those in our community and want them to know that this is for them. We want them to concentrate on healing and less stressed about finances.”