SEBASTIAN — Captain Hiram’s and the Indian River Lagoon will be invaded by ducks once again, on April 26, 2015. Thousands of little, yellow rubber ducks will be racing to shore and bringing hope to an entire County.
Indian River County depends on these ducks because they represent a community-wide effort to make healthcare affordable for everyone. The first place prize is $1,000 cash.
Adding to the excitement of rallying with friends and neighbors for an admirable cause, Treasure Coast Community Health (TCCH) is going to make a few lucky duck owners very happy.
Last year, Melissa LaProd and husband were flown to the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef resort on Saint Thomas Island, because their duck was first to shore. Second-place winner Betty Kiefer and third-place winner Thomas Hatfield walked home with cash prizes.
Every one of these ducks means money is going to support Indian River County residents who struggle to pay for doctor visits, including children with tooth decay, mothers with breast cancer and uncles with diabetes.
Every one of these ducks is also a chance for participants to win.
Last year, TCCH raised $21,000 that was earmarked specifically for their children’s medical programs. This year, TCCH is expanding it to all of their patient service programs.
“We hope to double that amount this year,” said Colette Heid, communications director at TCCH.
But, it would be better to triple that number. Why shouldn’t there be thousands of ducks scrambling for shore in April? Think of what $63,000 could do for the families TCCH brings hope to each day.
There are 142,000 residents in Indian River County. If just 10 percent – just 14,000 residents – purchased a single duck for $5, TCCH would raise $70,000 for hopeful families.
For some, $5 is tough to spare. But for others, $5 is just another daily pit-stop at Starbucks.
For those who can forgo some of life’s creature comforts for one week, and buy a few ducks instead, they could truly help improve the lives of those in the community. For those struggling to make ends meet, these ducks represent hope. And that is exactly what TCCH delivers every single day: hope.
Hope that a mother will not suffer through chronic illness because she’s worried about putting food on the table for her children. Hope that a father can treat his pneumonia and return to work so he can earn his family’s rent money. Hope that a child’s medical condition will not keep her out of school for weeks at a time.
Hope that when these downtrodden patients walk into the doctor’s office, they will be greeted by someone who actually cares because so many people in the greater community actually care.
TCCH provides top-quality care to 16,000 patients each year. Most of them are at or below the poverty line. But TCCH is not just about the health of those struggling to get by, every single person has to meet obligations on a daily basis. That is why this is about the well-being of an entire community.
Ducks can be “adopted” at various locations around Indian River County, including Oculina Bank branches, Dyer Chevrolet in Vero, Sebastian Chamber of Commerce, Seacoast Bank in Sebastian, Florida Veterinary League, Vero Bowl, Historic Dodgertown, Fellsmere Feed, Capt Hiram’s, all Treasure Coast Community Health locations and by visiting www.TheGreatDuckDerby.com.
The event happens on April 26, 2015 at Captain Hiram’s in Sebastian from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m. The ducks go in the water at 2 p.m.
Participants need not be present to win, but there will be a live band, radio station simulcast and an opportunity to connect with neighbors including TCCH staff, patients, sponsors and fellow supporters.
