Leaders of a not-so-birdbrained annual fundraiser aim for its impact to ripple toward children and youth-oriented programs.
The 17th Annual Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash is set for 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Mill Race Park Round Lake in downtown Columbus. Hundreds of numbered, yellow and “adopted” rubber ducks — from a total of thousands sold — will be dropped from a helicopter into the water.
In past years, a crowd of about 250 to 300 people have been on hand while the Columbus Meridian Kiwanis Club has raised some $60,000 annually. But this year, activities have been curtailed a bit because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers hope those attending will wear a mask and practice safe distancing.
There will also be a livestream of the gathering on the Facebook page for the Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash.
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After the drop, a team of volunteers will then draw winners. Those who have “adopted” ducks, as organizers like to say, will have a chance for a variety of prizes, including a shot at $50,000 or a new car from Chevrolet of Columbus.
Throwing your hat in to be a winner is easy. People can adopt ducks from one of the local Duck Buddy nonprofit youth organizations or any local Kiwanis member. One duck is $5; a Kwack Pack (5 ducks) is $20; a Baker’s Dozen (13 ducks) is $50; Mini Flock (20 ducks) is $75; or a whole Flock (30 ducks) is $100.
Purchases can be made at Midwest Computer Solutions or online at https://forms.gle/k9Ly6UMnbRAKkWgT6 or from a Duck Buddy volunteer listed at kducks.com.
Each duck earns a person one chance to win one of over 20 prizes totaling more than $12,000 in value.
“The adoption this year has been kind of slow because we don’t have as many school groups involved,” said Jeff Blasdell, who founded the event after he heard of it being done successfully elsewhere. “And a lot of the spring trips they normally are raising money for (by selling ducks) already have been canceled.
“So the same incentive wasn’t there. And there was originally some concern about handing out the (duck adoption) forms, and maybe if the kids were stuck at home, they couldn’t get them back to us with the money.”
About 12 groups serving youth are involved in the event instead of the normal 20, according to organizers.
But Blasdell knows how to remain swimmingly optimistic though fewer ducks will be adopted.
“The good news from that is that those who do buy ducks this time will have some good odds (to be a winner),” he said with a laugh.
People need not be present to win. Blasdell has seen other nonprofits do fairly well at recent fundraisers. He hopes for the same.
“I’d love that,” he said.
Participating groups keep 80% of the funds for their work and projects. Kiwanis uses its 20% of generated revenue for youth literacy efforts such as Book Buddies, Book Express, March of Dimes, Coolest Pet (to fight infant mortality), and more.
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What: 17th Annual Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash.
When: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 10.
Where: Round Lake at Mill Race Park on Fifth St. in downtown Columbus.
To "adopt" ducks for chances to win a variety of prizes valued at $12,000 plus: See Midwest Computer Solutions or go online at https://forms.gle/k9Ly6UMnbRAKkWgT6 or contact a Duck Buddy volunteer listed at kducks.com.
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