ROCKINGHAM – Throughout the year, Sandhills Children’s Center holds fundraising events to help support its programs. These special events raise almost 10% of its annual budget. One of these events is the Hitchcock Creek Duck Derby.
The 5th annual Hitchcock Creek Duck Derby will be held Sunday, June 3, from 2-5 p.m. at Hitchcock Creek, located at 615 Steele Street in Rockingham.
The Hitchcock Creek Duck Derby is a race in which one can ‘purchase’ rubber ducks for the day and have an opportunity to win prizes as the ducks float down the creek.
Ducks will be sold up to the start of the race. At that time, the ducks will be thrown, all at once, over the bridge at Hitchcock to float freely down the creek. Ducks are then plucked out of the water and winners are notified.
Justin Clark, Program Director for Sandhills Children’s Center- Rockingham, stated that Teresa Copper, Director of Events & Community Relations, and organizer of the event, is working hard to solidify plans for the Derby.
Clark stated, “There will be cash prizes as well as gift certificates, discount cards and other prizes from area businesses. This is a fun, family-oriented event that helps out a lot of really great kids. The Duck Derby will have a definite festival atmosphere, with additional activities, lots of games for the kids to play and food to eat.”
Proceeds will go into the general budget fund for Sandhills Children’s Center. Clark recalled, “The first year the Derby took place, there was a match grant with the Cole Foundation for playground renovations.” According to Clark, that was the birth of the Duck Derby. “The community came out in great support. The turn-out was greater than we imagined. We were very appreciative.” Clark was awed with the fact that families that didn’t have children at the Center showed so much interest in the event.
Sandhills Children’s Center is a private, non-profit organization and according to its website, it offers an inclusive child developmental day program for children with and without special developmental needs, ages birth through five, twelve months a year. It currently serves over 300 children on a daily basis.
The Children’s Center provides educational programs, therapeutic and nutritional services, and family support that help children with disabilities.
Sandhills Children’s Center operates two campus locations, one in Southern Pines and one in Rockingham.
For information on this and additional fundraisers for Sandhills Children’s Center or to donate visit www.sandhillschildrenscenter.org.
For a recap of the inaugural Hitchcock Creek Duck Derby visit https://youtu.be/aN_hUoOvda8
