Hundreds of Rubber Ducks Race to Benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands
June 23, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – June 23, 2009 — Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands hosted the sixth annual Rubber Duck Race on Sunday, July 19, from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Hundreds took part in the event to support Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, which operates 29 before and after-school Clubs and serves thousands of children in the area.
Festivities began at 1:00 p.m. at Saluda Shoals Park on Bush River Road, and a rubber duck is the price of admission for each attendee. Ducks are available for purchase in advance at Midlands-area First Citizens branches or BI-LO store locations for $5 each. Ducks will also be sold at Saluda Shoals on race day, and ducks must be registered upon entering the park.
Attendees will enjoy free food, games, a bounce house and entertainment followed by the duck race at 3:00 p.m., when hundreds of rubber ducks will be dropped into the Saluda River for an exciting race. Winning ducks will be plucked from the river at 3:30, and winners (who must be present to win) will be announced at 4:00 p.m.
“The Boys & Girls of the Midlands has been serving children in our community for more than 50 years,” said Marty Patton, Senior Vice President and Columbia Market Executive for First Citizens Bank. “The Duck Race celebrates the organization’s commitment to inspire and educate and all young people and it’s a way for the community to express its gratitude.”
“It’s an exciting day at Saluda Shoals,” said Carter Clark, Chief Professional Officer with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands. “Our Club members and their families definitely enjoy the Duck Race, and we’d like the community to come out and join us in the fun too. It’s a family-friendly day full of activities centered around the race. We’re hoping this will be the greatest duck race yet, in honor of our 50th anniversary here in the Midlands.”
Prizes will be awarded to the winning lucky ducks. The first prize is $1,000, the second-place winner will receive $500 and the third-place duck will win $250. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands.
“We’re proud to sponsor the Duck Race,” said Tony Williams, BI-LO District Director for Columbia. “We want to give back to the Boys & Girls Club, which has given so much to the Midlands.”
The Duck Race is one of many activities scheduled to commemorate the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands’ 50th anniversary in 2009. Visit www.bgcmidland.org for details. Check out more Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands Duck Race information on BGCM’s Facebook and My Space pages. Follow BGCM on Twitter: #duckrace @BGCMidland.
For more information, contact Katie Alice Cox at (803) 227-0914 or [email protected].
About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands
About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands: Locally, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands has touched the lives of over 8,000 area children. Our 29 Clubs see over 3,000 children come through their doors every week. In these Clubs, our Members find a safe place where they can have fun and be themselves. The Clubs offer activities that highlight five core areas: Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, The Arts and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. Now, more than ever, it is important that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow in a positive atmosphere. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands is making that happen every day, one child at a time.
