The Kiwanis Club of Glendale once again will be getting all its ducks in
a row for the Incredible Duck Splash, better known as the Duck Race, on
Oct. 23.
The Crescenta Valley High School jazz band entertained the club members and guests at the fundraiser kick-off on Friday at Parcher Plaza in Glendale. The Duck Splash is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Glendale that partners with community organizations to help raise much needed funding. Teams from local non-profits become Duck Buddies and team members encourage people to adopt ducks in the name of their organization. The more ducks adopted in the organization’s name the more funds are shared with the non-profit.
“The funds raised by the Kiwanis with the Duck [Splash] help support the scholarships we [award] to students,” said Vic Legerton, Kiwanis member.
Last year the Kiwanis handed out $20,000 in scholarships to students from the four high schools in Glendale Unified and Holy Family High School. In addition to scholarships the Kiwanis support kids’ organizations and schools throughout the area with donations and volunteer hours. These organizations include Prom Plus at CVHS and the Salvation Army helping to fill its food pantry.
Legerton said the struggling economy had an affect on the fundraiser last year but thinks this year’s sales will improve.
“This year we have invited the Boys and Girls Clubs to join us,” Legerton added. “It has always been our goal to reach out to Boys and Girls Clubs. Clubs from Pasadena, Carson, Burbank and the Foothills are just some that have joined in the duck race.”
Community members will be seeing giant yellow ducks with dark sunglasses around town at different functions like CVHS Open House. This is a signal that duck adoptions are available. People adopt a little rubber duck in the name of the organization of their choosing. That duck will be marked for the organization and with an identification number of the buyer. On Oct. 23, the day of the race, Verdugo Park is turned into Lake Glendale. Thousands of rubber ducks are scooped up by a bulldozer and dumped, ever so carefully, into the large lake. Then the ducks are released down a long stream as they “race” to the final pool at the bottom. The winner of the race is identified and the person who adopted the duck wins a prize.
“It is a lot of fun and a good way to raise money for local organizations,” said Todd Hunt, Kiwanis member.
To adopt, look for the large duck around the community or go online to www.ducks4kids.com and click on Duck Buddies to find and donate through an organization. Adoption forms will also be available at several businesses around the town including Crescenta Valley Weekly’s office, 3800 La Crescenta Ave., Suite #101.