ROCKWALL, TX (September 29, 2014) Meals On Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County and the Boys and Girls Club of Rockwall County once again made some big waves at the Rockwall Harbor with the 2014 Rubber Duck Regatta, the two organizations’ biggest and most lucrative annual fundraiser.
The event, which took place on Sept. 20, saw hundreds of locals come out to the Harbor to enjoy tons of rubber ducky fun and entertainment, including the Corporate Duck Pageant and Race, several demonstrations from the Rockwall Black Belt Academy and the Nerd Fun Run which kickstarted the day. Those who stayed late were also treated to a glow in the dark duck race and a fireworks show.
Rockwall Meals On Wheels Executive Director Margie VerHagen said the funds raised from the event would go towards sustaining the Meals On Wheels nutrition program for the homebound elderly.
“The board of directors, the staff and volunteers of Meals On Wheels would like to extend a big thank you to the community for their generous contributions and the volunteering for the regatta,” VerHagen said. “I’m projecting that the funding from the event will provide for over 1,500 meals for the months of October and November. We just can’t thank the community enough, how they come together and work together to make this happen for the seniors in the community.”
BGCRC Executive Director Misti Potter raved on the success of this year’s duck regatta, stating that the two organizations couldn’t have done it all without the tremendous support of the community.
“This year’s Duck Regatta was a huge success,” Potter said. “From the Nestle Nerd Run to the Glow in the Dark Duck Race and Concert, the Rockwall community came out in a big way to support the Boys & Girls Club and Meals on Wheels of Rockwall County. We cannot thank everyone who volunteered and worked tirelessly to make the magic happen enough!
“This event literally takes a lot of great people to organize it and it takes the community to participate to make it great, this weekend was the culmination of months of hard work and planning that will result in the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County being able to continue to provide after school and summer programs to more than 750 youth per year! Thank you Rockwall County for investing in our future today for greater returns in our leadership of tomorrow!”
Event organizer Ariana Hargrove echoed those sentiments, and hopes that next year’s event will make an even bigger splash.
“The turnout was amazing,” Hargrove said. “We’re excited what we’re doing in Rockwall for these two great organizations, and we hope to continue to grow the event annually.”
This year’s Corporate Duck Pageant saw several local businesses and organizations take a good quack at the competition, with many elaborately-themed and costumed rubber ducks put on display during the 2014 Rubber Duck Regatta at the Harbor.
The following are the winners of the 2014 Corporate Duck Pageant:
1st Place: Rock Ridge Assisted Living Center
2nd Place: Lyons Air Conditioning & Heating
3rd Place: Lake Pointe Medical Center
Ugly Duckling Award: My Computer Guy
Mayor’s Choice Award: Signature Signs and Graphics
Not to be outdone was the baby duck race, which took place at the Harbor’s fountain outside the Cinemark. While no one was fortunate enough to adopt the $10,000-prize 13th baby rubber ducky, several lucky entrants were able to take home some fan-quack-stic prizes.
The 13 winners and their prizes (excluding those not adopted) for the 2014 Baby Duck Race are as follows:
1. Duck #157, adopted by Donna Donman
Prize: James Avery ring
2. Duck #930, adopted by Julie Andress
Prize: diamond bracelet
3. Duck #110, adopted by Joanna Newman
Prize: Polaroid tablet
6. Duck #319, adopted by Mark Trosper
Prize: free tacos from Taco Casa for a year
8. Duck #538, adopted by Jessica Rardin
Prize: a taekwondo party for 15 from White Tiger Taekwondo
9. Duck #763, adopted by Cherisse Fair
Prize: free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches for a year
10. Duck #1117, adopted by Laurie Schaffner
Prize: a Nerds Candy backpack stuffed with goodies
Mini Glow Duck race winners were:
1. Duck #318, adopted by Glen Fields
Prize: Dell Laptop donated by Nestle
2. Duck #242, adopted by Jamie Ganes
Prize: Chick-Fil-A free sandwiches gift set and plush cow
3. Duck #18, adopted by Cara Beorg
Prize: Chick-Fil-A free sandwiches gift set and plush cow
4. Duck #265, adopted by Houston Schatfer
Prize: free tacos from Taco Casa for a year
5. Duck #296, adopted by Stephanie Roberts
Prize: free custard from Culvers
6. Duck #199, adopted by Elliot Snyder
Prize: free tacos from Taco Casa for a year
7. Duck #220, adopted by Claire Camp
Prize: $100 gift card from Dicks Sporting Goods
8. Duck #211, adopted by Jack Tyson
Prize: $100 gift card from Dicks Sporting Goods
9. Duck #3, adopted by Jennifer Trammel
Prize: $50 gift card from Dodies
10. Duck #111, adopted by Melissa Clark
Prize: jewelry from Simply Kate
11. Duck #275, adopted by Ryan Parker
Prize: $25 Pizza Cocina Gift Card
12. Duck #385, adopted by Jim Whiter
Prize: $25 Shenaniganz Gift Card
13. Duck #35, adopted by M Busby
Prize: $25 Shenaniganz Gift Card
14. Duck #45, adopted by Carla Bosteder
Prize: Nerd Pillow & Beach Towel
Running of the Nerds race times are posted at http://www.chip2chipracetiming.com/results.html or http://www.dfwraces.com/results.
PHOTO GALLERY
(Click images to scroll through and enlarge)
By Blue Ribbon News reporter Austin Wells. Photos by Austin Wells and Richard Redig.
To share your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
Please click here to LIKE our Facebook page, so we can reach more people with good news like this!
RE-CAP & PHOTOS: Community flocks to Rockwall Harbor to ‘Give a Duck’ added by Editor on
View all posts by Editor →