By: Ella Peirzecki
On April 10 students of the PRSSA chapter at Central Michigan University are hosting a Duck Derby fundraising event. The Duck Derby is an annual event. It will take place at Soaring Eagle Waterpark in Mount Pleasant at 9 p.m.
On the night of the event, more than 1,400 rubber ducks will race down the Soaring Eagle lazy river. The owners of the first three ducks to cross the finish line will receive prizes.
The first-place duck will win a two-night stay at the Soaring Eagle Waterpark. The second-place will receive a gift card basket. The third-place finisher will win a $75 gift card to the CMU bookstore.
This is the first time PRSSA is hosting the event. Previously, PR Central, CMU’s student-run PR firm, ran the event.
PRSSA members Abby Jenkins and Kendall Weishaupt are in charge of planning the event.
Weishaupt said, “it’s been difficult because PRSSA doesn’t normally do this. Usually PR Central hosts it. I’m not someone who wants to do event planning, but I think it’s really cool that we have the ability to get this experience.”
Jenkins said, “buying ducks is a really cheap way to win a good prize and help students meet their fundraising goals,”.
The club is fundraising to go to the PRSSA International Conference (ICON) which will be held in California this year.
Weishaupt said, “the fundraiser is a great way for friends and family to get involved with PRSSA and ICON is a great professional networking experience.”
The goal is to sell all of the ducks we have.
Vice President Katie Haley and Immediate Past President Leona Falconer helped to host last year's Duck Derby through PR Central.
Falconer said, “we actually do it after the water park closes. So, it’s just us and the ducks. It’s fun to watch.”
Haley said, “it’s a fun bonding experience and an event for the whole club to be able to do together. It really is a great fundraiser for us.”
The chapter will host a Facebook livestream during the event for anyone who wants to see the rubber ducks race down the lazy river. To become the owner of a duck, you can purchase one from PRSSA for $2. The ducks can be purchased at this link or on the CMU PRSSA Instagram page @cmuprssa.