One hundred and seventy five needy local families will enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner this year, courtesy of Catawba College’s annual “Duck Draw.” The eighth annual event, sponsored by the college’s Residence Life Staff, raised $3,500 that will be used to buy materials for the Thanksgiving meals.
A plastic duck might seem an unlikely starting point for a Thanksgiving dinner, but thanks to this year’s successful results, Duck Draw has raised money since its inception to provide holiday meals for 1,000 families.
Members of the Residence Life staff began collecting $1 donations in September to sponsor each plastic duck floated in a pool on campus in front of the Cannon Student Center on Nov. 14. On Nov. 14, the organizers randomly plucked a number of ducks from the pool. Each plucked duck had a number displayed on its bottom that corresponded to a number on a $1 ticket bought 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 haircuts to large pizzas and gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses.
Proceeds from the Duck Draw, along with funds raised through other projects undertaken by the Residence Life staff, including baked potato luncheons, will underwrite the costs of providing the Thanksgiving meals. Working with faculty and staff, local school agencies and local churches, the Residence Life staff will select families that need assistance with a Thanksgiving meal. Meals include a 10-12 pound turkey, rice, cranberry sauce, green beans, corn, stuffing mix and a box of brownie mix.