Catawba College’s Residence Life staff will use plastic ducks for the ninth consecutive year to raise money to buy Thanksgiving turkey dinners for needy local families.
Over the past eight years, more than 1,100 families have received meals through the annual Thanksgiving Duck Draw project.
This year, the project’s goal is to provide meals for an additional 150 families.
Beginning in September, members of the Residence Life staff began collecting $1 donations to sponsor each plastic duck that will be floated in a pool on Stanback Plaza at noon on Monday, Nov. 13. At that time, the organizers will draw a number of ducks randomly from the pool.
Each duck that is plucked from the water will have a number displayed on it that corresponds to the number on a $1 ticket purchased by a member of either the college community or the community at large. These numbers also correspond to donated prizes from area merchants, ranging from haircuts to pizzas and gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses.
Proceeds from the Duck Draw, along with funds raised through other projects undertaken by the Residence Life staff, including baked potato luncheons, will underwrite the costs of providing the Thanksgiving meals.
Working with faculty and staff, local school agencies and local churches, the Residence Life staff selects families who need assistance with a Thanksgiving meal.
Meals include a 10- to 12-pound turkey, rice, cranberry sauce, green beans, corn, stuffing mix, a box of brownie mix, and even a turkey baking pan.
Those wanting to sponsor a plastic duck or those who know of a family that may be in need of a Thanksgiving meal, should contact the Office of Student Affairs at 704-637-4410.