Penn State New Kensington:

Bed Race Proceeds Benefit United Way

9/23/2009 —

CAMPUS PARTNERS WITH LOCAL CHARITY
Community Groups Encouraged to Enter
11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 3
Donation: $25; Beds Provided
Proceeds Benefit United Way of Westmoreland County

Race Sponsored by Burrell Group and Westmoreland Insurance Services
Call 724-334-6062

Built PSNK Tough

Like a NASCAR racing team, the Penn State New Kensington pit crew is fine-tuning the racing beds for the inaugural Bed Race that is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 3 in the Athletics Center parking lot.

The four sleepers-on-wheels are getting race-ready by the maintenance department, Jim Lewis, Bill Sylves, and Randy Petrilla and students P.J. Mudar, Ross Sheffler and Sam Miller. The prototype was unveiled Oct. 3 at the 50th anniversary parade of the city of Lower.

Believed to be the first of its kind at a Penn State campus, the race is a part of the campus' annual Homecoming and Family Weekend Celebration, Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. The race features five-person teams (four pushers, one rider) who will navigate a hospital bed over a measured course. A series of timed heats will culminate with the championship run at 2 p.m.

In addition, judges will award prizes in various categories including wackiest design and best theme. Alumni, community, and student groups are encouraged to enter a team. Beds will be provided.

The Bed Race is sponsored by the Burrell Group and Westmoreland Insurance Service and hosted by the campus and United Way of Westmoreland County. The entry fee is $25 per team and all proceeds benefit United Way.

To register, call 724-334-6062 or contact arc1@psu.edu via e-mail or use registration form below.

HOMECOMING AND FAMILY WEEKEND
The inaugural running of Penn State New Kensington's Bed Race is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 in the parking lot of the campus Athletics Center. Believed to be the first of its kind at a Penn State campus, the race is a part of the campus' annual Homecoming and Family Weekend Celebration.

The race features five-person teams (four pushers, one rider) who will navigate a hospital bed over a measured course. A series of timed heats will culminate with the championship run at 2 p.m. In addition, judges will award prizes in various categories including wackiest design and best theme. Alumni, community, and student groups are encouraged to enter a team. Beds will be provided.

Bed Race prototype was unveiled Sept. 19 at Lower Burrell's 50th anniversary parade.

OPEN LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY

Dear Community Leader,

Penn State New Kensington, in partnership with the United Way, is pleased to invite you and your organization to participate in the first annual PSNK BED RACE. Our students, who represent many local towns as well as a broader international community, along with you and your employees,
have an opportunity to assist people experiencing hardship right here in Western Pennsylvania.

During this past year, the United Way of Westmoreland County has seen requests for basic human services increase across the region. Some of the most dramatic increases include:

• a 60% increase in the number of calls to emergency help lines
• a 30% increase in the unemployment rate (statewide)
• a 20% increase in demand at local food pantries
• a 15-fold increase in the number of calls to one local homeless shelter

By registering a team and participating in the PSNK BED RACE, your company demonstrates
its commitment to education, financial stability and health of your neighbors, co-workers, families, friends and community.

The registration form (see below), along with your $25 donation for the Bed Race must be completed and returned to Student Affairs, Penn State New Kensington, 3550 Seventh Street Road, New Kensington, PA 15068, no later than Friday, September 25, 2009. For more information please call the Office of Student Affairs at 724-334-6062.

Together we can make a positive impact on the quality of life for the people in our community with the highest need.

Sincerely,

Theresa Bonk

Homecoming and Bed Race Chair
Penn State New Kensington

REGISTRATION FORM AND GUIDELINES

2009 Penn State New Kensington
Inaugural Bed Race
In Partnership with the United Way
$25 Entry Fee

All teams must report to the Race Registration Tent at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 3, 2009 in the
Penn State New Kensington Athletics Center Parking Lot for the judging of team themes and course walk through. The championship round will be held at 2:00 p.m.
Team Name______________________________________________________ ______
Team Theme_______________________________________________________
Captain/Contact Name__________________________________________________
Business/Group Representing
Contact Number:_________________________________________________ ______

Cell Phone:__________________________ Email:____________________ ______

Address:

In consideration for the opportunity to participate in the Penn State New Kensington Homecoming Bed Races, I hereby release The Pennsylvania State University and their employees and representatives from any and all liability for injuries or damages that I may sustain as a result of my participation in this event on Saturday, October 3, 2009.

                                         *Must be 18 years or older to participate.
  Print Name
Captain________________________Signature__                 Date_______    _
Runner________________________ Signature__                 Date______      _
Runner________________________ Signature__                 Date______    __
Runner________________________ Signature__                 Date______    __
Person on Bed____________  Signature__                 Date______
All entries must be received by Friday, September 18, 2009
Mail to:
Penn State New Kensington
Office of Student Affairs
3550 Seventh Street Road, Route 780
New Kensington, PA 15068724-334-6062    Proceeds support The United Way

PRIZE CATEGORIES
(Judged by a Factory-Trained Team of Alumni and Friends)

*Wackiest/Funniest Team Theme & Costumes
*Most Creative Theme
*The “Greenest” Earth Friendly Team
*Most Penn State Spirit

GRAND PRIZE
Fastest Team

BED REGULATIONS & SAFETY
• Bed: All beds will be provided by Penn State New Kensington. Beds are single size with rolling castors. No outside beds will be permitted in race.
• Beds must be “Manpowered” only, no motors or beast of burden.
• All teams will provide their own pillow for bed.
• All teams will provide a twin sheet set to be used during the “chore” part of the contest.
Sets must include one fitted sheet and one flat sheet. Sheet Sets will be presented for inspection at race registration table on the day of the race.
• A team consists of 5 people, no substitutions, 18 years or older. 1 rider and 4 runners.
• All team members must wear running shoes. Safety gear is recommended.
• All riders must wear a helmet while on the bed during the race.
• The rider must stay on the bed while it is moving. If the rider falls off, the bed must come to a complete stop and may start once the rider is back on the bed safely. Running over the rider is frowned upon.
• Teams must complete chores at 4 stations during the race. 1st station, making the bed, 2nd station, the rider will dress completely in the pajamas (fully buttoned) provided, 3rd station, team must eat the bedtime snack, 4rth station, rider will remove pajamas and a new rider will don the pajamas (completely buttoned!) thereby all teams will change riders for the final stretch of the race. There will be judges at each station to determine if the team finishes a chore. All Judges’ decisions are final.
• Participants are encouraged to decorate themselves in silly, outlandish or socially relevant themes. The bed races are a family friendly event.
• Teams cannot interfere with the progress of their opponent. Manners matter.
• All team members must cross the finish line and be in contact with the bed.
• Entry fee is non-refundable.

BED RACE THEME SONG
(A Bill Woodard parody of the "Rawhide" theme song that was written by Ned Washington, composed by Dimitri Tiomkin and recorded by Frankie Laine. To listen to the TV song, visit http://www.televisiontunes.com/Rawhide.html

Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Bedrace

Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Anticipation swollen
Keep them sleepers rollin'
Bed Race!

Skill and speeds a force
I'm challenging the course
And my team is by my side

All the time their haulin'
At them I'm a jawin'
Run 'til the end of my ride

Get a team, you need five,
Register, decorate,
Good start, set the pace
Bed Race

Roll-em down, then around
Change of clothes, 'nother round
Across the finish line
BED RACE!

Keep movin', movin', movin'
Lots to be a provin'
Keep them pushers movin'
Bed Race!

Don't even try to slow 'em
Just hold on, and cheer 'em
Looks like they're turning the tide

My sleeper is primed
Team making great time
Be winnin' by the end of my ride.

Get a team, you need five,
Register, decorate,
Good start, set the pace
Bed Race

Roll-em down, then around
Change of clothes, 'nother round
Across the finish line

BED RACE!
BED RACE!

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