The 7th Annual Great American Duck Race finishes strong to benefit families in crisis

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, - Montgomery County Emergency Assistance [MCEA] held the Great American Duck Race on Friday, July 4th with 6,000 yellow rubber ducks racing one by one to the finish line at the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center in The Woodlands. 5,760 ducks were sold reaching 96% of a 6,000 goal. The event was very successful and surpassed the totals for 2012 and 2013.

Entergy was the Presenting Sponsor for the 7th year, and the Grand Prize was again sponsored by Buckalew Chevrolet. The first 50 ducks that finished were eligible to win a car, if their number matched the pre-chosen number out of the 6,000 tagged ducks. Although each of the winners will receive a prize, unfortunately there was not a matching number for the Camaro.

Prizes include a Michael Kors handbag from Dillard’s, a pearl necklace and a diamond necklace from Kroger/Fred Meyer Jewelers, Season Tickets to the 2014-2015 Crighton Theater performances, Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber’s Lobsterfest for 4, golf packages to Wedgewood, River Plantation, Bentwater, Walden, and West Fork, the King’s Feast for 2 at the Renaissance Festival, $100 gift card to Red Brick Tavern, a $100 gift card to Sports Authority, and a Coach bag. Many other restaurants and local businesses contributed donations for the Duck Race. New this year was a prize for the “Last Quack Finishing” - a Texan theme covered bench!

Other key sponsors for the event were Praxair, Kroger, Consolidated Communications, Nova, Braintek, Woodforest National Bank, Ecotech, Lynch Signs, Aflac-Melissa Coleman, Soules Insurance, Edward Jones-Don Heathcott/Cam Heathcott, and the Stilwell Family. Community sponsors are crucial to the success of the Great American Duck Race.

“Sponsorships and support go deeper than the event. They are a commitment to walk beside MCEA to impact the lives of the clients we serve,” said Chad Patterson, Executive Director of MCEA.

The event opened with a patriotic tribute lead by the Montgomery County Fire Chief Association Honor Guard presenting the colors. Mary Margaret Keating sang the National Anthem to a crowd of over 3,000 attendees. At 3:00pm the ducks were released to swim down the 2 story slide and through the lazy river to the finish line!

This year’s Duck Race featured teams competing for the MOST DUCK ADOPTIONS. Praxair took the lead with 720 duck adoptions. Teams include Woodlands Online, the MCEA Board of Directors, Kroger, Woodforest National Bank, The WISE Conference, BNI Elite Players, OnTheTown Magazine, Aflac, the City of Conroe, and Younique.

All Duck Adoptions benefit families in Montgomery County with programs that include emergency assistance and self-sufficiency programs for families in need throughout the county. Eligible clients may receive help with food, clothing, rent/mortgage and utilities. Other services may include gas vouchers, prescriptions, school supplies and furniture. Montgomery County Emergency Assistance is a not-for-profit agency serving the community since 1981.This fall MCEA will introduce a program to move clients into self-sufficiency by offering education, financial independence, health/wellness and an individual service plan through key collaborations in the community. The agency is excited to be able to partner with the community in offering real-life solutions.

MCEA is a funded partner of Montgomery County United Way.