Signage around the county, a booth at Street Fest and other promotional efforts helped make the third annual Rubber Ducky Classic a success. The event took place Saturday, July 20 and raised nearly $3,000 for the Good Shepherd Interfaith Caregivers.

The race began across from Billie’s Restaurant where 585 ducks were dumped into Town Run eager to make their way to the Little House where the first three arrivals were scooped out and designated “the winners.”

The owner of the first place duck, No. 29, Jenny Ewing Allen, of Shepherdstown, received $300. According to Good Shepherd Program Manager Carmen McGuire, Allen immediately donated the prize money back to the organization.

“I know what your organization does for our area and I want to donate the money back to you,” Allen said.

Second place, capturing a prize of $200, was Andrew D. Lowe, of Shepherdsotwn, with duck No. 165. Third place finisher, Duck No. 45, was purchased by William W. Grantham, of Kearneysville, who took home a $100 prize.

This year’s last place duck also came out a winner with a prize of $50. Duck No. 412, purchased by Kim Sanders, of Charles Town, finally made its way down the run after many minutes of waiting by anxious duck purchasers hoping for the last chance prize.

Ducks floated down the rapids with ease; however, the grasses along the side of the Run snagged many who had to be loosened by race officials.

Ducks were sold for $5 for one duck or $20 for a family of five ducks. All proceeds will support Good Shepherd Caregivers whose free volunteer services include transportation, visiting, reassurance calls, yard work, medical equipment loans and fix-it projects to the senior and/or disabled citizens of Jefferson County.

The Good Shepherd Caregivers strive to provide informal volunteer caregiving to home-based older or disabled Jefferson County residents. Their goal is to promote independence, dignity, security and quality of life among elderly, disabled, frail and homebound residents of our county, regardless of income or family circumstances.

According to their website, Good Shepherd Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers describes itself as a “Faith in Action program, is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization founded in 1990 by a small coalition of churches, individuals and the Shepherdstown Rotary Club with the goal of creating a stronger, more caring community in Jefferson County.”

The organization identifies and provides, volunteer support services to any member of Jefferson County who are fragile, home bound, or disabled of all ages or disability. The goal of the service is to help them remain in the community while maintaining their contact with the community.

The free, non-medical caregiving services are all provided by volunteers and include transportation to medical appointments, yard work, light housework, friendly visits, reassurance phone calls and medical equipment loan.

For information on volunteering or offering other support to Good Shepherd Caregivers, contact them via phone at 304-876-3325 or visit them on the web at www.gsivc.org.