Around 500 ducks floated down the Quittapahilla Creek on Saturday, Sept. 28, as onlookers gathered to see if their duck would come out on top.
Rubber ducks race down the Quittapahilla
At 11 a.m., the rubber ducks were dumped into the Quittapahilla Creek by Lebanon City Mayor (and fourth-year-running derby master of ceremonies) Sherry Capello and state Senator Chris Gebhard (who helped secure a $2.5 million increase in the state’s domestic violence intervention funding), kicking off the derby.
One lone duck immediately pulled ahead of the pack.
Onlookers would soon declare that this duck, which maintained a sizeable lead halfway to the finish, would surely be victorious.
However, the duck encountered turbulence, slowly sliding through elevated mud while some competitors surged past in the fast lane. While it eventually got back on track, it had fallen to second place.
Duck #355 was on top now, quickly developing a lead almost as stark as that of its predecessor.
#355’s victory seemed imminent — until it slowed to a crawl within sight of the finish line. It was overtaken by not one but two opponents.
Ultimately, the race was won by underdog #761, which had inconspicuously followed behind the standouts until it mattered most. It was followed closely by #17, with #355 achieving a respectable third place.
The early frontrunner did not finish the race at all, its number lost to time. In the end, it was just one of many ducks stranded on rocks, awaiting rescue by volunteers collecting the stragglers.
The saga of the fourth annual Duck Derby echoes the parable of the Tortoise and the Hare: slow but steady wins the race.
The Rubber Duck Derby is an annual fundraiser by Lebanon’s Domestic Violence Intervention. The derby began four years ago as a way for DVI to raise funds within COVID-19 guidelines, but has become a staple of DVI’s fundraising efforts.
It has grown from generating around $600 its first year to a between $8,000 to $10,000 this year, DVI executive director LeAnne Burchik estimated Saturday.
In addition to sponsorships from local businesses, individuals could pay to sponsor a duck (or multiple) in-person the day of the race or earlier online.
The top three placing ducks netted their sponsors $300, $200, and $100 respectively. The remainder of proceeds went to DVI.
Burchik explained that DVI is funded wholly through grants and donations, which go toward assisting victims of domestic violence. DVI’s emergency shelter, therapists, and legal advocates are all geared toward helping victims safely leave their abusers.
“Every dollar that’s raised goes back to our core functions,” she said. “Victims can’t wait, and we need to be able to service them when they need it.”
Those in need of DVI’s services for victims of domestic violence (which includes physical, financial, technological, and psychological repeated abuse) can call their free and confidential hotline at (717) 273-7190.
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