Who does the Southern West Virginia Rubber Ducky Dash benefit?
All proceeds from the Southern West Virginia Rubber Ducky Dash will benefit individuals and families in Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, Wyoming, Summers, Mercer, and McDowell Counties, and the town of Bluefield, VA. They are served by our nonprofit partners or receive direct support from United Way of Southern West Virginia.
How does it work?
Everyone who adopts a duck, whether online, in the mail, at a Duck Race booth or in a sponsoring business is entered into what we call E-Quack, a database that stores all of the information. Next to your name in E-Quack is the number of ducks you have adopted. The tag range is entered into E- Quack and all the numbers are shuffled up. Then, E-Quack automatically assigns the number of ducks you have adopted next to Tag Numbers. Thus, if you adopted 5 ducks, your name will be placed next to 5 different Tag Numbers.
How do my ducks get in the water?
Let’s Tag! A few days prior to the race, volunteers will place numbered tags on the bottom of every duck that will be in the duck race - which is 5000! The tags are waterproof labels beginning with a 7 digit number and ending with a 7 digit number.
For Example: 8580001-8590000
What is my tag number?
Tag numbers are automatically and randomly assigned by computer. We want to make sure that no duck has an unfair advantage and the race is not fixed, so to ensure the integrity of the race, tag numbers are never given out. Rest assured, however, that all the ducks you have adopted will be in the water.
What if you have 4,000 Adopted Ducks but you have 5,000 Tagged Ducks on Race Day?
If all our ducks have not been adopted by race day, it means that a lucky adopter can still adopt up to an hour prior to the race. Their names will be placed at random into the mix, next to a number that does not already have a name by it. Anyone can adopt until an hour before the race begins, as long as the race is not sold out.
When is the Southern West Virginia Rubber Ducky Dash and what does it cost?
The Southern West Virginia Rubber Ducky Dash will take place on April 20th, 2024. At least the first 3 ducks through the finish line will win some amazing prizes.
How will I know if my duck wins?
A United Way of Southern West Virginia staff member will contact you using the information you provided with your duck adoption.
Are they real ducks or rubber ducks?
Rubber ducks, silly!
Who can adopt a duck?
Anyone 18 years and older may adopt a duck.
Once I adopt a duck, do I get to keep it?
No. After you adopt your duck, the Southern West Virginia Rubber Ducky Dash team will work hard to train, coach, and make sure each one is ready for race day. After the race, all of the ducks will fly off to their next race somewhere in the United States.
Do I have to be present to win?
No, you do not. You are welcome to join us at the Levee for an event after the ducks have made their way to shore. More details to follow about the public event on April 20th.
Can I adopt ducks on race day?
If all our 5000 have not been adopted as of April 19th, 2024, the remaining ducks will be available for adoption on race day until one hour prior to the start of the race online.
How do I contact someone at the Southern West Virginia Rubber Ducky Dash if I have questions that are not answered here?
Please contact us by emailing tdacal@unitedwaysw.org or call 304.253.2111