Larry Baldwin receives a bemused look from his daughter, Madeline, as he helps “herd” the 24,000 ducks after the race. (Photo: by Alan Hope)
A record number of 24,000 ducks were adopted at this year’s Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier Duck Derby. And Gainesville resident Maria Dye was the grand prize winner for $10,000.
“Because of our record number of adoptions, we are able to provide our clubs and our members with the tools and resources needed for our kids to succeed academically, physically and socially,” said Savannah Popham, marketing and communications director for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier. “It was so much fun for everyone involved to be back to doing this event and for us to launch a record number of adopted ducks.”
In addition to Dye, other winners and their prizes are: Jacqueline Hulsey, Gainesville, 1st Prize Diamond Solitaire from Gainesville Jewelry; Jim Coyle, Gainesville, 2nd Prize Family Fun Package at Main Event; Sam Couvillon, Gainesville, 3rd Prize Toolkit from Kipper Tool; Amy Munn, Gainesville, 4th Prize Legacy Lodge – One Night Stay and Golf Package for 4; Heather Armour, Cleveland, 5th Prize Herschel Walker Autographed Helmet; Jeff Stowe, Gainesville, 6th Prize Tap It Growlers – Private Party Rental Space in THE GARAGE and $200 cash; Doug Parks, Mt. Airy, 7th Prize Chick-fil-A for Two for a Year from Chick-fil-A Gainesville; Ross Daniel, Gainesville, 8th Prize Kimmers Photography – Two Hour Photoshoot; Gary Funk, Gainesville, 9th Prize Yeti Cooler from Hargrove Engineers + Constructors; Rebecca Ando, Gainesville, 10th Prize Chattahoochee Golf Club – Golf Package for 4.
With five freestanding clubs and 20 school sites in Hall, Forsyth and Habersham, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier serves more than 7,500 youth through club and community outreach programs. The organization is opening the Tommy & Chantal Bagwell Club in Forsyth in 2023.
Summer camps at various locations take place from late May until mid-to-late July.
For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier, visit www.boysgirlsclubs.com.
Photos: by CLS Films unless otherwise noted.
Jake DuPree performs before the crowd.
Whoa, Nellie!
Ducks at the finish line as the crowd waited for the winners to be announced. (Photo: courtesy, Tom Child)
