Genesee Students Raise Money for the United Way Through the Annual Ducky Derby

BATAVIA, NY (04/02/2015)(readMedia)-- "A mission. A goal. A constant reminder that when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. We build the strength of our neighborhoods. We bolster the health of our communities. And we change the lives of those who walk by us every day." – United Way website

The Ducky Derby race at Genesee Community College has become a fun tradition on campus that reinforces this United Way quote from their website. With the Cougarettes cheering and helping celebrate the race, students, staff and faculty turn out to root for their favorite duck and support the worthy cause. The recent Seventh Annual Ducky Derby Race for the United Way was organized by GCC Business Forum Club students who helped raised a grand total of $1,362. Ducks were sold for $1- $5 featuring the chance to win 10% to 50% of the funds raised, while also benefitting the United Way of Genesee County. The event has become a tradition that takes place the Thursday before students are on Spring Break the following week.

This year the Ducky Derby also collected numerous door prize donations from local businesses across Batavia and Rochester adding new opportunities for people to win. On the day of the race, a team of volunteers numbered the "racing" ducks under the oversight Rick Dudkowski, professor of GCC's Fashion Merchandising Management program, and got them ready to be dumped into the College's swimming pool. The College's Swim Team and life guards paddling the ducks across the pool.

Fashion Merchandising student, Jordan Reese, from Clinton, NY, also a College Village resident developed a three minute video that shows all the action and highlights the winners. To view the video go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwgSDMUBQzM. "This was my first Ducky Derby," Ms. Reese said. "I was surprised by the amount of people who got involved and can't wait to be a part of it next year. It was a great opportunity for me to gain leadership skills thanks to the help from my professor, Mr. D."

The grand prize winner was Terri Mosher. She won a total of $136.20, leaving $1,225.80 for the United Way.

The Business Forum students would like to thank the entire College community for its support, and specific recognition to the following businesses for their donations that helped make the seventh annual Duck Derby a significant success. On March 5, 2015 at 12:30 the Ducky Derby awarded the following door prizes to these winners:

Wal Mart $30 gift card: Val Dudic

Alberty Drugs $25 gift card: India Hardwick

J.C. Penney $25 gift card: Jessie Rudnik

Batavia's Original Pizza: $25 Becky Green

Countyside Inn Alden, $25 gift card: Lisa Gianvecchio

Marshall's Batavia $25: Emily Koneski

Solutions Studio & Spa Greece, NY, hair cut & style: Kathy Rudnik

Insurance Center Steve Hawley, $20: Jan Beach

Save-A-Lot $20 gift card: Ronald Lynch

Bourbon & Burger Co. $20 gift card: Kathy Rudnik

Neptune's Gardens Pet Shop $15: Jill Martin

Pizza Hut $11 value card: Terry Dick

Enchanted Florist $10 gift card: Dolores Wilkin

Enchanted Florist $10 gift card: Jennifer Gayle

Sweet Peas $10 gift card: Marilyn Sherm

Gamzilla $10 gift card: Jenn Ross

Carbone's Pizzeria Rochester, $10: Bonnie Regle

Carbone's Pizzeria Rochester, $10: Krystle Kaz

The Taco Place $10: Chris Kemp

Parkside Cupcakes Alden $10: Joann Dumbleton

T Shirt Express t-shirts: M. Randolph

Main Street Pizza coupon card: Christian Hoffmann

Movie N Motion DVD: Russ Reisdorf

Peebles Department Store gift bag: Jamie Carpenter

Batavia Peace Garden gift basket: Mary McConnell

Valle Jewelers- bracelet: Donna Rae Sutherland

How Do You Like Me Now Salon & Spa, haircut: Heather Dorman

Avon Gift Basket: Kathy Rudnik

Subway gift card: Yvonne Freeman

GCC T-shirt: Rick Dudkowski, Kristen Schwab, Patty Hume, Maureen Leupold, Takara Higashi

For further information or to be involved next year please contact Rick Dudkowski at 585-343-0055 x6390 or at mrdudkowski@genesee.edu. For more information about the United Way you can go to the website, http://www.unitedway.org/.

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