The Sacramento State softball team and Student Health Services will host their inaugural Bed Races Fundraiser on Oct. 14, with all proceeds going to My Sister’s House.

The Bed Races are being held this fall for a specific reason – October is the National Domestic Violence Awareness month.

Bed Races are a timed competition between 20 teams. Each race will consist of two teams with four members who are each designated to a corner of a twin mattress.

The entry fee per team is $100.

“We joined forces with Student Health Services to put on the Bed Races because we wanted to get involved with the school to give back to the community with a charitable event that would benefit a good cause,” said women’s softball head coach Kathy Strahan.

In traditional bed races, the mattresses are on wheels to make the race more fast-paced and are usually held in a parking lot. However, because this is the first time Sac State is putting on this event, they wanted to make it a safe event by keeping wheels and concrete out of the equation in order to keep everyone safe.

My Sister’s House is the Central Valley’s only nonprofit organization for domestic abuse victims, and for 10 years has provided culturally relevant and supportive services for Asian-Pacific Islander victims of domestic violence. My Sister’s House is a shelter for women escaping their domestic abusive past in order to move on with their lives.

“My Sister’s House is so appreciative of CSUS students recognizing and showing their leadership and creativity in drawing attention to a painful and destructive issue which people want to keep hidden in the bedroom,” said Nilda Valmores, My Sister’s House representative.

Both organizations are trying to get everyone involved to make certain they fill all 20 teams. Everyone consisting of athletics, Greeks, all college affiliated clubs, peer health educators or any Sac State students are encouraged to get involved, said Health Services Counselor Jessica Heskin.

Two of the 20 teams have already been filled by girls from the softball team.

“I really wanted to participate in this event because I really wanted to give back to the community, especially when I heard that all of the proceeds were going to My Sister’s House,” said softball first baseman and senior captain Alyssa Nakken. “Knowing what My Sister’s House is and how it helps women, it makes me want to go volunteer there at one point in my life.” 

Each member of the teams will receive a free T-shirt and there will be a supply available for spectators to buy at the event.

Teams get to decorate a single flat sheet for the mattress. Art can include a mascot or anything to do with their team. Attendees will be able tovote for their favorite teams by paying $1 for each vote. Each vote will go to the team that has the best or most popular sheet. The votes will determine which team wins the contest. The event is expected to raise between $1,500 and $2,000.

“Although the money raised for (My Sister’s House) is very nice, that isn’t the only thing we are giving them,” Heskin said. “The exposure for My Sister’s House is critical so that people know what it is and who they are.

For more information on My Sister’s House visit its website at www.my-sisters-house.org.

To sign up to participate in the event, go to The Cove located in the Well, call 916-278-3799, or email Jessica Heskin at [email protected].

Nicole Bee can be reached at [email protected].