Ducks in the Run race for top prize

The annual “Rubber Ducky Race” hosted by the Good Shepherd Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, drew more than a hundred spectators Saturday afternoon. Those folks lined Town Run from McMurran Hall to the Little House to watch hundreds of rubber ducks “race” for the finish line.
Paula Marrone-Reese, director of the nonprofit organization based in Shepherdstown, said the Rubber Duck Race, now in its sixth year, was started by a volunteer who was looking for a fun way to raise money for the organization.
Rubber ducks have been for sale over the past few weeks and could be purchased on site Saturday just prior to the race as well. For a mere $5 (or $20 for a family of five ducks), folks tried their luck on winning the unique race.
Marrone-Reese shared that approximately 540 ducks were dumped into the Run at McMurran Hall.
“Those numbers are down a little from last year, but it’s still a great fundraiser for us,” she said.

She went on to explain, “The event is really to benefit the agency that’s taking care of the aging, so the older people in the community are really the ones who benefit.”
Top prize winner for this year, with duck number 505 was Bill Senseny. He donated back $150 of his $300 prize to the Caregivers organization.
Second-place winner with duck number 453 was Jack Childers, who took the $200 prize while third place finisher Karen Hepp’s duck number 25 claimed $100.
Each year there is also a prize given for the last duck across the finish line; however, it was not clear Saturday at race end which duck that was. The initial “last place” duck may have been replaced by a straggler that came through after many participants (and race officials) had given up waiting.
All proceeds from the race 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.
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.

