Thursday June 23 marks the Big Brothers Big Sisters Rubber Duck Race and 5k Duck n Run/walk

Duck adoptions remain steady for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby and Darke County, and Jennifer Bruns, Executive Director of the Shelby and Darke County agency, is hopeful to reach over 4000 ducks being launched this year. Keeping with tradition, the person with the number on the winning duck wins the grand prize of $1000.00 and the next 12 ducks to follow win various prize packages including, two “3-day” passes to the great Country Concert at Hickory Hills. All of the prizes have been donated for the event and are listed on the Big Brothers Big Sisters website. The 2016 Rubber Duck Race, will be held Thursday, June 23rd at 7:30 p.m. near the Geib Pavilion in Tawawa Park, Sidney.

Those wishing to adopt their duck may still do so up until June 23rd. Duck adoptions can also take place at sites throughout the community including the Sidney Big Brothers Big Sisters office at 121 E. North Street, Sidney Body Carstar, Meyer’s Drive-Thru, Midmark Corporation, Greenville Federal Savings & Loan in Greenville, Financial Achievement Services Located on Childrens-Home Bradford Road, Edison Community College both Piqua & Greenville branches, and The Early Bird. Big Brothers Big Sisters Board Members and Volunteers will also have tickets available for sales. Additionally, this year you can purchase duck adoptions online or by downloading the mail-in order. Both can be done from our website at www.bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org/events or http://bit.ly/bbbsduckderby .

The public is invited to come out for the Rubber Duck Race to cheer on their adopted rubber duck and compete for some awesome prizes. TAM 105.5, one of our corporate sponsors for the event, will be live on-air broadcasting throughout the evening.

In addition to the duck race, the agency will also host the tenth annual Duck N’ Run 5k walk/run, which is a part of the Shelby County 5K Tour, and in celebration of the tenth annual event each tenth participant to cross the finish line will receive a special prize as a thank you for supporting the organization. The 5K run will be held on the evening of Thursday, June 23 with race time at 8:15 p.m. through scenic Tawawa Park in Sidney. Registration will begin at 7:00 p.m., and a shot-gun start will begin the race at 8:15 p.m. Runners (walkers also welcome) will follow the course through the scenic park, with refreshments and an awards presentation waiting at the finish line. Runners can pre-register for the event by going to http://bit.ly/ducknrun with early bird registration ending June 10, 2016, or can register the day of for $15.00. Duck adoptions and t-shirts will be sold separately on race day as quantities last.

The Daffy Duck Derby and Duck N’ Run 5K are fun and exciting ways to help children within the Shelby and Darke County communities. By running in the 5K or by “adopting” a rubber duck for $5 each or by purchasing one of our special deal packs, you not only have a chance to win some fantastic prizes but you will have made a difference by providing financial support to a Big and Little and our after-school mentoring programs.

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. If you would like more information about becoming a volunteer or if you have a child that you feel could benefit from being in the program, please call 492-7611 or 547-9622. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a United Way Agency and an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.