Providence Ministries to raise money with 'ducks'

Date: 8/25/2010

Aug. 25, 2010

By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent

HOLYOKE -- A Duck Pluck is the newest fundraiser underway by Providence Ministries for the Needy Inc. (PMN), with a goal of raising $10,000 by the Columbus Day weekend.

In the coming weeks, volunteers and staff of PMN will be attending local fairs to introduce the first Duck Pluck to the Greater Holyoke community. In addition, duck booths will be set up at the fairs for a Children's Duck Pluck to raise awareness of the fundraiser.

"A child can pluck a duck for a buck and win a prize," Christine Burns of PMN said, who is organizing this event.

For persons who would like to support the Duck Pluck but cannot attend one of the fairs, a form can be downloaded from PMN's Web site and mailed in with a check.

Burns noted that 25 prizes have been donated to date, including a weekend on Cape Cod as the top prize. Prizes at press time that have been donated include a family portrait package, numerous gift baskets, a financial planning package, restaurant gift certificates, an estate plan package, a three-month Greater Holyoke YMCA membership, and a golf package. Donors to date include Chris's Cut & Curl, Old Sturbridge Village, Fun Time Lanes, Paper City Brewery, Carolyn's Sweet Tooth, The Spa at Stoney Brook, Pilgrim Candle Company, Starbucks, Clowntique, and the Greater Holyoke YMCA.

For the Duck Pluck, each duck purchased will be assigned a number that can be associated with its benefactor. All ducks will be placed in an 18-foot swimming pool filled with water, and prizes will be awarded to the owner of any duck plucked from the pool during Columbus Day festivities at the Blessed Sacrament Church fall fair on Northampton Street.

Persons purchasing ducks do not have to be present to win a prize; prizes will be awarded throughout the day. The grand prize will be drawn at 5 p.m.

Duck sponsorships include one duck for $6; two ducks for $10; six ducks for $25; 13 ducks for $50, and 27 ducks can be purchased for $100.

For the latest information on prizes to win and locations of fair dates, visit www.provministries.com.

Ducks can be purchased at the PMN offices, by phone by calling 536-9109, or via the Web site using PayPal (put Duck Pluck in the comments section).

All proceeds raised from the Duck Pluck will benefit PMN programs that include Kate's Kitchen, Margaret's Pantry and Loreto House.

"We hope to have 2,000 yellow rubber ducks waiting to be plucked for prizes by the Columbus Day weekend," Burns said.