It’s Never Too Early To Get Your Rubber Ducks In A Row

When was the last time you actually heard anyone say they just hate a well-organized duck race? Never, that’s when. And if you add a good cause to this equation, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a successful event.

Here at Eagle Rock, we’re among the go-to experts when it comes to conducting rubber ducky derbies, and with 26 years of such faux fowl festivities on its fund-raising resume, the Rotary Club of Estes Park handles this event with great authority.

As is always the case, some of the proceeds from this — the 27^th annual Estes Park Duck Race — benefit Eagle Rock’s Graduate Higher Education Fund, among other local charities. Fact is, since that first duck race back in 1989, more than $2 million has been raised for local charities and organizations.

This year’s race gets underway at or around 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, and we hesitate to give an exact time because everyone knows how difficult it is to herd rubber ducks. The actual competition begins at Nikki’s Steakhouse On The River on the west side of downtown Estes Park (exact location: 1350 Fall River Road), and travels down the Fall River to the downtown area behind Inkwell & Brew.

That’s where visitors and participates can watch as thousands of rubber ducks float across the finish line on the Big Thompson River. When you hear people talk about the perfect photo opportunity, this is what they’re talking about.

One of the highlights of this event is the opportunity for participants to win prizes. We’re talking big prizes. Like $11,000 in trips alone. Hawaii? The Caribbean? Alaska? This year, the Rotary Club is featuring them all. And that’s just the major prizes. In addition there will be hundreds of prizes valued at $20 and up provided by local merchants.

So here’s a simple explanation on how you could walk away from this duck race with more than just a spring in your step and a song in your heart (No kidding, it’s that much fun!)

First off, you have to adopt a rubber ducky. Actually, if you’re serious about your odds, you’ll adopt more than one duck.

Adoptions are $20 per duck, or $21 if you adopt online. And here’s where you can really help out Eagle Rock. If you designate us to receive your gift, 95 percent of what you donate goes directly to our Graduate Higher Education Fund.

Each ticket you purchase from the Duck Race Website or directly from someone who works here at Eagle Rock goes a long way toward supporting past and future Eagle Rock graduates in their pursuit of higher education.

Each and every one of our graduates is eligible for up to $14,000 toward the cost of undergraduate and post-graduate education, which gives them an enormous boost when it comes to furthering their education. And as we continue to feed the Graduate Fund, the amount awarded each graduate will increase.

Good cause? You bet! So here’s how you can best help Eagle Rock benefit from this event:

• Visit www.epduckrace.org and buy up as many tickets as you feel comfortable with, making sure to choose Eagle Rock School as the recipient of your duck race adoption!

• If you going to order online, there’s a box asking that in order, “To credit your seller, enter his or her name.” We want to credit the person who contacted you and sold you the ticket, so please type the name of the student or staff member in that box.

• Then be sure to click “Eagle Rock School” from the drop down menu.

If you want to avoid going online and pay by check, please send it to:

2015 Duck Race
c/o Eagle Rock School
2750 Notaiah Road
Estes Park, Colorado 80517

A third option would be to purchase tickets over the phone with a credit or debit card. Call us here at (970) 586-7158 to make your purchase by phone.

It’s rare that we have the opportunity to participate in a fund-raising event where a whopping 95 percent of the proceeds go directly to our Graduate Fund, so ask your coworkers, neighbors, friends and family members to participate.

Especially that rich uncle who keeps saying how proud he is of your Eagle Rock student.