Catawba College News Service
In small plastic pool on Catawba College’s Stanback Plaza Monday, 2,309 plastic ducks waited to be plucked from the water by College Chaplain Dr. Kenneth Clapp.
It was Clapp’s annual duty to draw the ducks in the sixth year of Catawba’s Duck Draw Community Service Fundraiser. The project, coordinated by Catawba’s Residence Life staff, uses the plastic ducks to raise money to buy turkeys ó actually, turkey dinners to feed needy local families on Thanksgiving.
Catawba’s Assistant Dean of Students Ben Smith said that this year enough money was raised to feed 150 local families on the upcoming holiday. Feeding this many families allows the fundraiser to surpass the 650 families fed mark since the project began.
“The students, faculty and staff really embrace this fundraiser. They know that by donating a dollar to sponsor a plastic duck they’re doing their part to help someone less fortunate in the community,” Smith said.
The Residence Life staff collected $1 donations to sponsor each plastic duck that was floated in the fountain, with ducks still being sold up until the noon drawing. At noon, dozens of 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 cotton candy and pretzels at four Catawba home football games this year and hosting two Baked Potato Luncheons, underwrite the costs of providing the Thanksgiving meals. The Residence Life staff works with several organizations to select families with the greatest need for a Thanksgiving meal. Meals include a turkey, dressing, a turkey pan, vegetables, bread, pasta, and a dessert and will be distributed to families the week of Thanksgiving.