Printer Friendly Version - Lucky Ducks Help Raise Over $14,000 to Benefit Orchard House

A load of 3,000 individually numbered ducks await their drop into the Branford River at the 'starting line' on Sept. 19, at the bridge on Indian Neck Ave. above the river and beside Stony Creek Brewery (at right). The 2nd annual Stony Creek Brewery Duck Race raised over $14,000 for non-profit Orchard House Adult Medical Day Center, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021.Photo Courtesy Ken Engelman

Thanks to 3,000 lucky ducks, over $14,000 was raised to benefit Orchard House Adult Medical Day Center at the 2nd Annual Stony Creek Brewery Duck Race on Sunday, Sept. 19.

The community event was organized as part of Orchard House's 40th anniversary celebration this year. Duck Race founder/Orchard House Development Director Ken Engelman thanked event host Stony Creek Brewery and staff, as well as celebrity media/Duck Race hosts Vinnie Penn and Erin Logan, together with Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, who picked the winning 20 ducks.

The first 20 ducks were plucked from 3,000 dumped into the Branford River beside the brewery, located at 5 Indian Neck Ave. The ducks came out of the water with help from the Branford Fire Department (BFD) fire boat, which operated as the race officials' platform in the middle of the river. Engelman also thanked the days' "...sponsors, donors, duck race committee, "...volunteers in and out of the water, and all who helped make this second annual community event happen!"

Each duck donation reserved an individually-numbered duck for its donor. Engelman has posted names of the day's 20 winners, including the $1,000 grand prize winner and additional 19 winners (prizes valued at $100 per winner) at the Orchard House Facebook page (search @TheOrchardHouseBranford).

Forty years ago, non-profit Orchard House Adult Medical Day Center began helping change lives for the better for shoreline seniors and their families. Located at 421 Shore Drive in Short Beach, Branford, services include nursing care, therapeutic recreation, individual and family counseling, a nutritional meal, healthy snacks daily, and transportation services. Individual care plans are developed for each client; including those with cardiac ailments, diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other dementia and neurological disorders. In addition to its administrative staff, Orchard House's professional staff includes registered nurses, certified nurses' aides, a recreational therapist, food service workers and professional van drivers. Orchard House serves clients from eight area towns.

To learn more about Orchard House and its services or to make a tax-deductible donation visit www.theorchardhouse.org or call (203) 481-7110.

Shown here, scads of ducks afloat and awaiting a pick of the grand-prize winner and 19 runners-up from the mix. The first 20 ducks were plucked from the water by Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove aboard the Branford Fire Department's fire boat.Photo courtesy Ken Engleman