“Do you think your rubber duck will be the winner” was a common question heard at Porterdale’s Yellow River Park Saturday, as folks enjoyed the second annual Duck Derby hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia.
Several attended the event to watch over 2,300-rubber ducks float along the Yellow River in a race for $10,000 at the finish line.
BGCNCG’s summer fundraiser was in partnership with the City of Porterdale and raises funds for youth served in Newton, Greene, Morgan and Walton counties.
Spectators gathered early to get a place in line to watch the ducks drop, as well as grab last minute lucky ducks for the big race. Youth from the newly opened Newton County Boys & Girls Club helped pep up the crowd as they greeted spectators with Howard the Duck.
As the duck launch approached, spectators made their way to the riverbank to watch the race. A large gasp and cheers could be heard as the ducks dropped into the Yellow River for the race of a lifetime.
Once the finish line was crossed and the winning ducks were pulled, it was time for a grand prize winner announcement.
This year’s $10,000 grand prize winner is Jerry Schonhoft. On Sunday Jerry received his winning phone call and was in shock.
“I was shocked. I’ve never won anything in my life. I was with my grandson, as he was getting a tennis lesson when Bob Mackey gave me a call,” Schonhoft shared. “I remember buying the ticket from Jim Liebeck (Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club board member) and thinking the odds weren’t going to be in my favor, but here I am.”
Schonhoft shared his family is going to be in shock when he gets home with his grand prize check.
“I’m just thrilled,” he added. “I always thought that the Boys & Girls Club was a great place and I really think it’s a great place now.
For Bob Mackey, President and CEO of BGCNCG, watching the North Central Georgia join together to support its youth is inspiring for the future.
“During the event I watched as people met one another and shared their reason for being present. Overwhelmingly the response was ‘or the youth.’ Mackey shared. “It takes a village to ensure our youth become productive citizens while learning life skills they’ll need to be successful. We are so grateful to the community’s relentless support of our mission. The gift you provided our youth with your support will continue to ripple effect in these youth’s lives for years to come.”
Jerry Schonhoft wasn’t the only winner from Duck Derby!
Four other community members took home prizes from the event. Jim Borland won a golf adventure to The Oaks Golf Course, Robert Witchor won Your Pie for a year and Jerry Evans won an iPad mini.
Overall, the event was a success for BGCNCG.
“June (Tompkins’ wife) and I had a big time making new friends and laughing with old friends,” Michael Tompkins, BGCNCG Corporate Board Chair, shared. “The magical benefit was watching our kids, parents and supporters come together dancing and sharing in a fun event.”
Porterdale was happy to host the second annual Duck Derby event.
“The Duck Derby is such a creative way of raising funds for an important cause, allowing the young people of the community to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The City of Porterdale, couldn’t have been more pleased to support the 2ndDuck Derby,” Josephine Kelly, Downtown Development Director, said.“There was a happy enthusiastic crowd in attendance and with the dedicated effort of the Boys and Girls Club and the Porterdale Public Works Department, the event was a great success.”
Mackey added that without great sponsors, such as presenting sponsor Canon and the City of Porterdale for allowing the organization to partner with them – this event wouldn’t have been as successful.
“The real winners of this event are our youth!”
Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia serves over 1,500 youth in North Central Georgia.
If you’d like to learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia or are interested in getting involved on a local level, visit www.bgcncg.comor call 770-267-8034.
