Rubber ducks make a splash at Kiwanis Club fundraiser
An estimated 1,000 people attended the 12th annual Duck Splash this past Saturday, racing nearly 20,000 rubber ducks in Verdugo Park in Glendale.
Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Glendale, the annual event encourages people to sponsor rubber ducks in random water races in an effort to raise $65,000 in grants and scholarships, mostly for high school seniors, according to the group’s president.
“Kids fill out applications, and school counselors help narrow [eligible candidates], then we go in and interview students,” said Patricia Larrigan, president of Glendale Kiwanis, at the event. “We pick one, two or three top students.”
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Larrigan said that Kiwanis members also help some adults, such as veterans, the homeless and people with mental disabilities.
“This is our biggest fundraiser,” Larrigan said.
Participants sponsored each rubber duck with a $5 donation. A “Quack Pack” of five ducks was available for $25. Larrigan said the money raised benefits recipients through dozens of what the Kiwanis Club calls “Duck Buddies” or various nonprofit organizations, programs or schools in Glendale and Los Angeles County.
These affiliates, in turn, keep some of the money for their own causes, Larrigan said.
Eagle Rock High School student Brianna Navarro, 14, helped run her school’s “Duck Tac Toe” booth at the event.
“I collect tickets for the game,” she said. “I also help give out toys and prizes. Two tickets are $1 to play. If you win all three games, you get a book and a toy.”
Navarro said that this was her first year as a volunteer at the school’s booth.
Kiwanis head Larrigan, a Glendale police officer for 28 years who handled evidence, overtime and subpoenas in court, said she can relate to the event being a new experience.
“When I was in charge of the duck race, I used to be known as the duck mistress,” she said. “But this year is my first year attending the Duck Splash as president.”
As Larrigan looked around at children and families playing games, winning prizes and sponsoring rubber ducks for charity, she said she only wished she could do more.
“We have game booths — we have lots — but I don’t think we can ever say we have enough things for kids to do,” she said.
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Holleran is a contributor to Times Community News.