Poland Spring Named Official Water and Recycling Partner of Dempsey Challenge Lewiston, Maine. July 7, 2010 – Maine’s iconic spring water company, Poland Spring, has signed on as the official water and recycling partner of the second annual Dempsey Challenge presented by Amgen, a non-competitive run, walk and cycling event benefiting The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing. The event offers a 5K and 10K run/walk on October 2 and cycling routes of 10, 25, 50 and 100 miles on October 3. Activities will commence at Simard-Payne Police Memorial Park in Lewiston, Maine. Bottling spring water in Maine since 1845 and one of the largest bottled water brands in America, Poland Spring will provide spring water at all rest stops, the finish line hydration station and the food tent throughout the weekend. Poland Spring will work in conjunction with fellow Maine institution L.L.Bean on an aggressive recycling initiative aimed at making the event as green as possible. Employees at Poland Spring have also created a Dempsey Challenge team and set a fundraising goal of $15,000. “The nearly 800 full time and seasonal employees of Poland Spring are proud to be an integral part of the Dempsey Challenge. Several of our employees and their families have battled cancer and been served by the Dempsey Center and our involvement with the event is the perfect way to give back to this worthwhile cause,” said Ray Grady, Poland Spring Plant Manager.  The 50 and 100-mile cycling routes take riders directly past the entrance to Grady’s bottling plant in Poland. “At Poland Spring, we take our commitment to environmental sustainability seriously and welcome the opportunity to help lead the Dempsey Challenge’s recycling initiative,” said Ron Dyer, Regional Environmental Manager. “Poland Spring is a perfect fit for all aspects of the Dempsey Challenge,” said Event Manager Wendy Tardif. “We’re proud to partner with a company that is passionate about preserving Maine’s environment and educating folks about the health benefits of drinking water.” Event namesake, actor and Maine native Patrick Dempsey created the Dempsey Challenge to serve as the primary fundraising vehicle for the Dempsey Center and to promote exercise as an integral part of daily life. Dempsey took part in the 2009 inaugural event, riding the 50-mile cycling route alongside professional cyclists George Hincapie, David Zabriskie, Ted King and Stephen Roche. The weekend will include a family friendly Festival in the Park which plays host to a Health and Wellness Expo, KidZone, vendor fair and live entertainment. Runners and walkers will enjoy the 5 & 10K Café on Oct. 2 while cyclists are invited to take part in a participant lobster bake the following day. The Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Walk will be part of the closing ceremonies on Oct. 3. Participants are encouraged to create or join teams through the Dempsey Challenge website to build camaraderie and assist their fundraising efforts.  For more information please log on to www.dempseychallenge.org. For more information on Poland Spring, please visit polandspringworksformaine.com