United Way event a ‘spec-quack-ular’ success
Fireman Alex Tilton helps launch the ducks at the United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties Duck Derby on Sept. 19.
The United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties’ first United Way Wacky Quacky Duck Derby was a “spec-quack-ular” success, according to United Way executive director Katie Koglman.
“We couldn’t be more delighted,” Koglman said. ”Even through COVID, we were able to come up with something the community could come together around to support the United Way in this challenging year.”
Koglman spoke surrounded by 1,000 rubber ducks in her office that were being cleaned and stored after the race. More than $12,000 was raised through the event.
“This puts us at 40% of our annual goal of $1.5 million,” said Carrolyn Salazar, United Way public relations manager.
In the event, more than 1,000 rubber ducks, which had been “adopted” by donors for $10 each, were dumped into a pond where they were sprayed with a fire hose across the pond to the finishing line.
The event was live-streamed on Facebook, where hundreds watched and commented live, and it will be posted on YouTube, Salazar said. “We just felt that with the way this year has gone, we needed something ‘ri-duck-ulous’ for people to have fun with,” she said.
“The ducks were a little bit ornery; we had to redirect them a couple times,” Koglman said. “And it might have taken a little longer than we expected.”
“It was so fun for the small group we were able to have on hand to help run the event in a socially distanced way,” Salazar said, “that we can’t wait to have it in person next year, God willing.”
The duck derby was an idea to help, in part, replace the money that normally would have been raised through the Heart and Sole marathon.
“We just couldn’t have that event this year due to COVID, so we tried to harness that same great level of community support for this,” Koglman said.
Koglman said she attributed part of their success to the fact that by only costing $10, many people didn’t find that amount too steep to be able to participate.
“We had anywhere from kids to senior citizens joining in,” Salazar said.
There were six winners named in the race.
First place went to “Dodo,” who was adopted by Adam Olp of Wooster. Chad Leggett’s “Daphne” came in second, and “Sugar and Spice,” adopted by Bala Venkataraman, came in third. Rounding out the top six were “Tate” (Darcy Buehler), “Bucky” (Anne Crites) and “Princess” (Bobbi Douglas).
First prize was $500, second was $200 and third was $100. Fourth through sixth won consolation prizes. Many of the winners donated their prizes back to United Way.
Corporate sponsors also participated in the race, although they did not receive cash prizes, according to Koglman.
“Wooster Orthopedics’ duck won in the corporate category, and they received a trophy beautifully engraved by Beth Miller (of Wooster’s Everything Engraved),” Koglman said.