Habitat for Humanity of Highland County is planning a fundraiser for later this year that it is guaranteeing will have a $2,000 grand prize winner with a chance for someone to win $50,000.
On Saturday, Sept. 24, Habitat for Humanity will host a rubber duck race on Clear Creek with a goal of dumping 3,000 ducks from a bridge on Evans Road just north of Hillsboro that will race to a finish line at Southern State Community College.
The ducks will cost $5 each and there will be 10 top prizes including a guaranteed first prize of $2,000, a second prize of $1,000 and a third prize of $500, according to Habitat. The organization said in a letter that it will have an insurance policy in place insuring a $50,000 cash prize to one of the top 10 ducks that cross the finish; if that numbered duck matches a preselected number from its insurance policy provider.
A 5K race and activities for all ages will also be held the day of the duck race, Habitat said.
Local Habitat Executive Director Sharon Bedard could not be reached for comment, but duck race co-chair Tiffany Faust said proceeds from the event will be used to build or make improvements to housing for qualifying families that are struggling.
“This is going to be our biggest fundraiser this year and we’ll be set up at the Festival of the Bells, the fair and the bigger events around the county to sell ducks,” Faust said. “Our goal is to sell 3,000 or more.”
Founded in 2000, Highland County Habitat is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.
Volunteers provide most of the labor and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses. The partner families that will live in the homes invest hundreds of hours of labor that Habitat calls “sweat equity” into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving fund for Habitat that is used to build more houses.
As part of the duck race event, Habitat is seeking tax deductible donations from local businesses and/or individuals. The customary sponsorships are divided into the following categories: Diamond level, $2,000-plus; Platinum Level, $1,000 to $1,999; Gold Level, $500 to $999; Silver Level, $250 to $499; and Bronze Level, under $250.
“Depending on your sponsorship level your business will be labeled as a duck race sponsor with a unique opportunity to market your business,” the letter announcing the event said. “Also, your business logo will be printed on various publications, banners, programs, signs in high traffic areas, etc. that will be circulated and viewed throughout Highland County and beyond as a supporter of Habitat for Humanity.”
For more information contact Bedard at 937-403-1257, event chair Chris Osborne at 937-403-7176, or co-chairs Faust at 937-763-4754 or Mary Washburn at 937-661-4689.
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or on Twitter @13gillilandj.
