KIDS – 9th Annual Duck Fest Derby

Ninth Annual KID Duck Fest Derby Raises $185,000 to Support KID Families

It was a quack attack in downtown Fort Lauderdale as thirty thousand yellow rubber ducks raced down the New River during the Ninth Annual Duck Fest Derby, presented by JM Family Enterprises, Inc. This year’s event raised nearly $185,000 for Kids In Distress (KID) of Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

The lucky duck of the race was the grand prize winner of $10,000. Other winners received a cruise for two aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, a cruise for two aboard a Carnival Cruise ship, a luxury timepiece donated by Carroll’s Jewelers, amazing gift baskets, a foursome at Grande Oaks Golf Club, among others. For the full list of winners, please visit www.DuckFestDerby.org.

“Kids in Distress has been protecting children and strengthening families in South Florida for almost four decades, and JM Family is proud of the strong partnership it’s established with the nonprofit for nearly 30 of those years,” said Brent Burns, Executive Vice President and COO of JM Family and KID board member. “Duck Fest continues to be a fun way to help raise awareness of the vital role Kids in Distress serves. It’s rewarding to see the community enjoy themselves in support of the organization’s mission.”

The weather offered up beautiful blue skies and a cool breeze while attendees enjoyed an afternoon in the KID Fun Zone, presented by Wiring.com. Aromas from a line of food trucks filled the air while the young and young at heart enjoyed face painting, a caricature artist, oversized bounce houses, petting zoo, and lively music provided by Mike Sipe Entertainment.

Activities like the KID Olympics, presented by JM Family Enterprises, entertained children with duck-themed games like “Chuck-A-Duck,” “Duck and Seek,” and the “Duck Scramble.” After finishing a full round of games, the ‘Olympic athletes’ were eligible to participate in a prize raffle for board games, bikes, and more.

“To mark our thirty-fifth year of serving the community, we oversized the Duck Fest Derby with better activities, bigger prizes, and even more ducks,” said Mark Dhooge, President and CEO of Kids In Distress. “The event is a mammoth undertaking that requires the enthusiasm and help from hundreds of KID friends and family. KID is truly grateful to our sponsors, committee members, staff, volunteers and community supporters who gave their all at today’s event.”

More than 200 volunteers logged an impressive 808 hours tagging ducks, entering adoptions, or lending a hand during the event. Groups like AT&T, JM Family Enterprises, Kids In Distress Auxiliary, Nova Southeastern University students, and ADT Always Cares rolled up their sleeves to pitch in where needed.

In addition to presenting sponsor JM Family Enterprises, Inc. other sponsors included AT&T, SunTrust, Wiring.com, Mike Sipe Entertainment, ADT Always Cares, Deborah Gunvaldsen Foundation, City of Wilton Manors, The Schemel Family Foundation, Cartaya & Associates Architects, Allied Roofing; Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart, & Shipley, PA; Greenberg Traurig, TriGen Insurance Solutions, Dejardins Bank, PNC Bank, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Strategic Logistics and Relocation Solutions.

The event also could not have been possible without in-kind sponsors such as Ad Graphics, Cliff Berry incorporated, BC Surf and Sport, Brickman, Falkins & Company, National Beverage, Rob Sadowsky Events, Suddath Relocations Systems of Fort Lauderdale, Tastebuds Catering, Waste Management, Y-100, MY 93.9, and Winterfest Boat Parade.

KID, now celebrating its 35th year of service to South Florida, is a nationally accredited, community-supported agency dedicated to the prevention of child abuse, preservation of the family and the care and treatment of abused children in Broward and Palm Beach counties. KID offers a full continuum of care that includes therapeutic services, childhood education, prevention and intervention, foster care and adoption.

For more information on KID or the Duck fest Derby, please visit www.KIDinc.org.

ABOUT KIDS IN DISTRESS (KID, Inc.)
Kids In Distress of Broward and Palm Beach counties (KID) is a licensed nationally accredited agency working for prevention of child abuse, preservation of the family, and care and treatment of abused and neglected children. KID services helped more than 11,000 children and families last year through programs that focus on prevention, intervention, foster care, education, and family counseling. KID partners with corporations, organizations, municipalities, schools, and individuals to support its mission and expand services throughout South Florida. For more information about Kids In Distress, please visit www.kidinc.org or facebook.com/KidsInDistress. Follow us on Twitter @kidsindress1.