Farmville “Great Duck Race” Now on Facebook  

The United Way of Prince Edward County continues to make plans for its major fundraiser the Great Farmville Duck Derby.

The event will be held 5 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at Riverside Park as part of the Heart of Virginia Festival, with all proceeds benefitting the partners of the United Way.

Members of the United Way’s all-volunteer board of directors as well as representatives of their partners are in the community seeking individuals and businesses to serve as sponsors.

Meanwhile, board member Jennifer Kinne created the Duck Derby Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/150500495606264/) in order to spread the word about the event and generate enthusiasm.

Now, the board members can go “into the group and invite people from their friend lists to the group,” Kinne said. “They can also share the group on their personal or business pages.”  The community can join the new Facebook group on their own as well, an invitation is not necessary.

There will be 5,000 ducks sold. The owner of the first place duck will receive $1,000, the owner of the second place duck will receive $500, and the owner of the third place duck will receive $250.

Ducks can be adopted through the United Way, Citizens Bank in Farmville and Fishin’ Pig restaurant.

Every dollar means assistance for one of the United Way’s partners. A single $5 duck could buy a bag of cat food for the SPCA, a $25 Quack Pack of six ducks could provide free medicine for someone who visits The Heart of Virginia Free Clinic, a $100 Flock of 25 ducks could provide a family food for a week at Madeline’s House.

The race will feature five levels of sponsorship, each with its own perks. All sponsors will be mentioned in news releases, social media post, and all publications printed after time of sponsorship.

Those benefits are:

* $1,000 Donald Duck Sponsors will receive 25 ducks to race, as well as an invitation to ride in the DUCK BOAT on Saturday, May 5, and have their logo on all our promotional material;

* $500 Daisy Duck Sponsors will receive 20 ducks to race, as well as have their logo on all promotional material;

* $250 Huey Duck Sponsors will receive 15 ducks to race, and have their business mentioned on all our promotional material;

* $100 Dewey Duck Sponsor will receive 10 ducks to race and have their business mentioned on all our promotional material;

* $50 Louie Duck Sponsor will receive 5 ducks to race in addition to having their business mentioned on all our promotional material;

Checks should be made payable to the United Way of Prince Edward County and mailed to Sandy Cooke, 5 Brown Student Center, Hampden-Sydney, VA 23943.  Please submit sponsorship by January 15, 2018.

The United Way has a goal of raising $55,000 this year to help support 20 organizations in our community.

The United Way’s partners are: Farmville Area Community Emergency Services (FACES), Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity, Heart of Virginia Free Clinic, Farmville Service Unit Girl Scouts, Farmville Area Boy Scout Service Organization, Madeline’s House/Southside Center for Violence Prevention, Prince Edward County 4-H Clubs, Prince Edward/Farmville Youth Association (PEFYA), Scope/Meals on Wheels, Southside Virginia Family YMCA, Southside Pregnancy Center, Southside SPCA, Southside Training, Employment and Placement Services, Inc. (STEPS), Virginia Legal Aid Society, Camp Loud & Clear, Heartland Horse Heroes, Riding Star 4-H equestrian club, Jolly Glee Seniors, Piedmont Senior Resources, and the Virginia Children’s Book Festival.

For more information please contact Sandy Cooke at scooke@hsc.edu.