Twenty teams raced 12 beds down a DeLand street in the second annual Great American Bed Race fundraiser, raising about $3,500 for CORS. "We've had excellent sponsorship," said Steve Segner, CORS executive director. "It's just a small piece of the financial pie, but it far exceeds any other fundraising medium."

Each participating team had three sponsoring options, explained Cathy DuHamell, administrative assistant for community development at CORS. "For $1,000, they could buy a bed and keep it for the next race; for $500 they could rent a bed and decorate it just for their team; or for $250, they could share a bed with other teams," said DuHamell. Additional obstacle-course style activities included water balloon tosses, finding the only colored golf ball in a large jar, and popping balloons.

The event also featured a pancake breakfast, provided by the Kiwanis Club of DeLand, which raised an additional $310. "We cover the expenses ... so all the money can go to [CORS]," said Don Bradtke, Kiwanis Club member. "It's a good program, so we like to support it."

For more information on Community Outreach Services, visit www.corsdeland.org.