What do clowns, cowboys, Twinkie the Kid and even Donkey Kong all have in common?
They were among the over 450 participants that raced in the Bedrace for Bridging event on Saturday, March 2nd, 2013. The 15th annual fundraiser at Buck Hill was another huge success and Gamut One Studios was there to capture it all.

Bridging, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the greater Twin Cities, is the largest furniture bank in North America. Providing furniture and household goods to families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness and poverty, Bridging gives hope–and for many–a leap toward financial stability for the first time.

The 15th annual Bedrace for Bridging brought in $80,000 which will greatly help local families and individuals in need!

The event is like Halloween meets the Winter Olympics — a fun, exciting event with everyone in costume racing down the tubing hill competing to be one of the three team finalists. A team is made up of four riders and you must stay on the mattress for the entire ride down the hill or you are disqualified.

There were 113 teams competing to take home a trophy, either for the race or the most coveted honor of “Best Costume.” Cities 97 radio personalities and producers cast the silent votes for the top 3 best Costumes. Brian Oake announced the winners.

Fran Heitzman, founder of Bridging addressed the crowd in the Buck Stone Lodge with an enthusiastic expression of gratitude. He told everyone that “when good people get together, we can do good things“.  Sara Sternberger, executive director of Bridging, is pictured with Fran and of course the Subway Sandwich dude.

The party continued in the Buck Stone Lodge with live music by Meatsauce and The Whalers followed by The Chris Hawkey Band.

G1 Studios’ photographers at this event were Greg Kamin and Jeff Schmieg.  Till next year… think about getting your bedrace team together and help support this great local charity.