Loads of prizes will be up for grabs during the United Way of Western Nebraska’s Duck Draw, the organization’s annual major fundraiser that’s in its 27th year.
This year’s top prize is a 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer, donated by Team Auto Center, with a second place prize of a 2024 Honda Pioneer 700 Side-by-Side, donated by Sandberg Honda.
During a kickoff event Tuesday morning at Sandberg Honda, Kelly Sandberg explained why both companies are involved every year, saying “I just wanted to say thank you to the United Way for letting us be a part of it, because what’s great about this is you can win some really awesome prizes, and the money stays in the area, so that’s awesome.”
Another 33 prizes will be given away during the Sept. 21st drawing, including cash, gift cards and more, with a total value of all prizes just over $56,500, what UWWN Board President Becca Pierce said was about $12,000 more than last year.
Kent Holub with TEAM encouraged the public to get their permits early, as he thinks you have better chances to win with the draw compared to the former Duck Dash on the river, which was quite the visual spectacle.
“I think if you bought your ducks later (for the dash), you had a better chance of winning than if you bought it earlier,” said Holub. “And now the way they do it (with the draw), no matter when you buy it, you have just as much luck to win, you know, and it just is so much a better opportunity for people.”
United Way Executive Director Karen Benzel said every duck purchased, whether it’s an individual duck for $10, a Quacky Trio for $25, or a Quacky Combo of 7 ducks for $60, makes a huge impact.
“This year we have 25 nonprofits that we’re funding, right here in Scottsbluff, Gering, and throughout the entire western Nebraska Panhandle, all the way into eastern Wyoming. So your duck purchase actually goes straight back into the community,” said Benzel. “So, we’re so grateful for TEAM, and we’re grateful for Sandberg, and all of our wonderful sponsors for helping us put on this fantastic event that’s truly supporting our entire community throughout the region.”
In-person duck sales are underway online at uwwn.org/duck or in person at Team Auto Center in Scottsbluff, plus various special locations throughout the Panhandle including Scottsbluff, Gering, Alliance, Chadron and Sidney.
The first in-person special location will be Thursday, July 11, from 11 am to 1 pm at the Gering Runza, with a free $25 Runza gift card given out for each Quacky Combo purchased.
The Trios and Combos include a Quack Sack, which contains a souvenir duck and three pages of coupons for local area businesses.
