A unique fundraiser for the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County.
Following the success of the Rubber Duck Race in past years, the organization sought ways to make good use of the 5,000 ducks they had purchased.
Hospice executive director Katharen Bortolin says next month they will be dropping 2,500 ducks from top of the rafters from the WFCU Centre during a Windsor Spitfires game.
“The grand prize goes to the duck that falls closest to centre ice, with the winner taking home $5,000. We’re only dropping 2,500 rubber ducks, so each duck purchased in a 1 in 2,500 chance to win,” she said
She says the drop will happen at the end of the game between the Spitfires and Soo Greyhounds on Thursday Mar. 13.
"The game will be played as normal, but make sure that if you are at the game, you stay until the end to catch the drop - it is quite a sight to see," Bortolin said. "We did a couple test runs. Not with all the ducks, but with a smaller number and it gets quite loud and entertaining. It's quite a sight to see."
Bortolin says the hospice's operating dollars come from 50 per cent government funding.
"The other portion of the dollars that we raise to support patient care is all fundraised," she said. "Events like this, it's a really fun community event and a great way to bring community together, but it also raises funds that directly support patient care in Windsor and Essex County."
Raffle tickets are $10 each, which represents one of the available 2,500 rubber ducks.
On top of the grand prize, there two second and third plaze prizes available which include a signed Spitfires team jersey and signed Spitfires team hockey stick.
Organizers say the winner does not need to be present at the hockey game on Mar. 13.
To purchase raffle tickets or learn more click here: https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/hospice-windsoressex-rubberduckdrop.