A flotilla of pink, blue and yellow plastic ducks raced its way down Paint Creek Saturday to raise money for local Youth Assistance programs.
A total of 1,173 plastic ducks, sold for $5 each, raced in Lake Orion’s Meek’s Park as part of a fundraiser for Orion Area Youth Assistance and Oxford/Addison Youth Assistance.
Youth Assistance is a community-based program whose mission is to strengthen youth and families along with preventing and reducing delinquency, neglect, and abuse through volunteer involvement.
With nothing but the creek’s current and Lady Luck to guide them, the mighty duck armada floated downstream, facing many natural obstacles.
The first three ducks to cross the finish line were awarded prizes.
Gene Way’s duck won first place, netting the Keego Harbor resident $999.
Plymouth resident Meredith Ashton’s duck took second place, winning her an Apple iPod.
The duck belonging to Michael Morse came in third, earning the Southfield resident $200.
Youth Assistance and the kids it serves were the biggest winners of all.
The Oxford/Addison program made a little over $2,300 while Orion received nearly $1,100 in proceeds.
No plastic ducks were harmed during the race.