Dr. Kenneth Clapp is reflected in the Catawba fountain at the 5th annual Duck Draw Community Service Fundraiser. The students paid a dollar per duck to pay for 120 Thanksgiving meals for needy families. Dr. Clapp selected ducks from the fountains for prizes for some of the students who paid for the ducks. photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post

Dr. Kenneth Clapp lifts a duck from the Catawba fountain at the 5th annual Duck Draw Community Service Fundraiser. The students paid a dollar per duck to pay for 120 Thanksgiving meals for needy families. photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post

By Tonia Black-Gold

Catawba College News ServiceIn Catawba College's fountain on Stanback Plaza on Monday, 2,300 plastic ducks floated, waiting to be plucked from the water by Dr. Kenneth Clapp, Catawba's chaplain.

It was the fifth year of Catawba's Duck Draw Community Service Fundraiser and the ducks were used to raise money to buy turkeys — actually, turkey dinners to feed needy local families on Thanksgiving.

According to event organizer Ben Smith, assistant director of residence life, this year's event raised enough money to feed 120 local families on the upcoming holiday. That number will allow the fundraiser to surpass 500 families fed.

"It makes the students and members of our community feel good to know that something that's fun for them also benefits less-fortunate families at this holiday time of year," Smith said. "This has become one of our most embraced projects and with very good reason. It's a good time for a good cause."

The Residence Life staff collected $1 donations to sponsor each plastic duck that floated in fountain, with ducks still being sold up until the noon drawing, when 136 ducks were randomly plucked from the water.

Each duck selected had a number displayed on its bottom which corresponded to the number on a $1 ticket purchased by a member of either the college community or the community at large. These numbers also corresponded to donated prizes from area merchants, ranging from hair cuts to large pizzas and gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses.

Proceeds from the Duck Draw, along with funds raised by selling peanuts, pretzels and cotton candy at Catawba home football games and hosting two Baked Potato Luncheons, will underwrite the costs of providing the Thanksgiving meals.

The Residence Life staff works with several county organizations to select families with the greatest need for a Thanksgiving meal. Meals include a turkey, dressing, a turkey pan, vegetables, bread, rice and a dessert.

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