Redding East Rotary celebrated two milestones with the club’s signature community event on September 30th. It was the 20th anniversary of the Ducky Derby, presented by the club each year to raise funds for substance abuse prevention, youth development programs in the North State.

And with this year’s duck race, more than $3 million has now been raised in support of those vital activities!

Once again, youth and community organizations will receive 100% of the funds they raised in selling tickets to “adopt a duck” in the race. In all, 41,299 ducks were adopted and then dropped from the historic Diestelhorst Bridge in Redding to “race” down the Sacramento River.

Redding East Rotary was honored that District 5160 Governor Earl Kilmer attended the event, along with District Trainer Laura Day. Governor Earl plucked the winning ducks from the floating flock and helped give the great news to the lucky winners.

Four local families won prizes, which included a custom-made children’s playhouse, getaway weekend to San Francisco to see the Giants in action, guided rafting trip and guided fly-fishing trip.

Area youth-oriented organizations count on the funds they raise by participating in the Ducky Derby to provide programs and services  that support the mission statement of our parent organization, Rotary Clubs of No. CA Foundation Against Substance Abuse.

More than 100 organizations sold Ducky Derby tickets this year, netting approximately $200,000 in financial support for efforts to prevent substance abuse and keep kids busy in healthy activities.

Redding East Rotarian Neal Sternberg was founding chairperson for the Ducky Derby and led the event for 15 years.  Club member Marge Beck has coordinated the event with its 6 committees & 20 subcommittees for the past 5 years. To get more than 40,000 rubber ducks organized requires help from virtually every one of the 90 members in Redding East Rotary, plus hundreds of other community volunteers and sponsors, such as the Enterprise High School Interact Club, Simpson University athletes and students, Shasta High Football Team, Liberty Christian High School, Meeks Lumber Co., Blue Shield of CA , etc.