I’m always proud to be a member of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, which meets Wednesdays at noon at Quail Hollow Country Club, but never more so than I was on May 21, when the club hosted its first-ever Duck Derby, held at Lake Padgett behind Hungry Harry’s BBQ off U.S. 41 in Land O’Lakes.
Almost 200 people turned out to see if the ducks they purchased for $5 apiece (or “flocks” of 25 for $100; more than 2,000 total ducks were purchased and numbered) would win one of the event’s almost 70 prizes.
But, the thing I was proudest of was that this event — which now looks as though it will join the club’s annual Adult Spelling Bee as a major fund raiser — grew into something amazing out of an idea brought up by club member John Jay (the DJ, at left in center photo below) and run with by club members Vicki Hamilton, Chris Casella and Jodie Sullivan of Fun Services/Funtastic Events, whose company also was the Big Bird ($4,500) Sponsor for this first annual Duck Derby.
The first duck to finish the “race” was purchased by club members Brian and Isabelle Dunleavy, who won a $2,500 cash prize, a portion of which they announced they would donate to The Joshua House, a local “safe haven for children in need.”
Even after deducting the Dunleavys’ top prize, the club was thrilled to raise more than $6,000 net, which will be donated to the Rotary’s selected nonprofit organizations.
Among the other top prizes was an all-day fishing expedition for five people, a stay at Saddlebrook Resort (donated by club member Alexis Dempsey, see story on pg. 10), a fishing rod handmade by club member and Duck Derby logistics expert (and kayaking rescuer) Jimmy Mason, and a free $400 ad donated by this publication, which was won by club member, Rubber Ducky Sponsor and Cash 4 Gold owner Trevor Campbell. For more info, visit WCRotary.org. — GN
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