Duck race brings in more than $2,000
The rubber duck race to benefit Way’s Mills United Church proved to be a great success over the weekend. Gathered outdoors in the sunshine, spectators watched from above as the small colourful birds dodged the rocks and shoals of the Niger River to make their way from start to finish.
“We are very happy” said organizer Nicole Poitras, noting that between the initial sales of the ducks, donations received, and proceeds from the hot dog and plant sales that took place as a part of the event, the fundraiser managed to raise well over $2,000.
According to Poitras, it was a duck purchased by Chanelle Coates that crossed the line in first place netting her $500 that the winner was apparently going to use to help offset the recent purchase of an electric car. Poitras herself won the second-place prize of $300 and Serge Merineau and Anne Leydet came in third, netting $200. The organizer said that she isn’t doing anything special with the money except paying off some of the expenses she incurred getting the event together, and also buying more ducks for next year. As for the third-place pair, Poitras pointed out that as they paid for 11 of the $20 ducks, they actually ended up in the same financial situation as if they had bought one duck and not placed.
Although a few of the ducks eventually had to be rescued due to the relatively low water level, almost all of them eventually made their way down to the finish line, which bodes well for the possibility of repeating the event.