Family Matters Club putting on a ‘quacky’ fundraiser

The Canyon Lake Family Matters Club is for the birds again as it attempts to raise money for its club. Fresh off a fundraiser where flocks of flamingos were rented to invade Canyon Lake front yards, the club is adopting out ducks for a race where the winner will bring in a cool hundred dollars.

“Get your ducks in a row for the Family Matters Club Lucky Duck Derby fundraiser,” club founder Shawna Bowen said. “The Family Matters Club is quackers about ducks! Join us for the quaziest race ever when we ‘launch’ hundreds of rubber ducks at the Lodge pool during the 1st Annual Luck Duck Derby fundraiser.”

Canyon Lake Family Matters Club board members, from left, Valerie Reeves, Shawna Bowen, Jeannie Hoonnirun, Donna Lovejoy and Sandi Humphreys display some of the rubber ducks they’re adopting out for an epic Duck Derby fundraiser race next month. Adopting a duck racer is three dollars each with discounts for purchasing larger quantities

The race will be held on March 13 at 3:00 p.m. at the pool. The race and duck adoptions will be done socially distanced. Ducks can be bought on the club’s website (familymattersclub.org) or by limited in-person purchases. The race will be live streamed on Facebook and Zoom and the winners will be announced live over the streaming services.

Race sponsors will be the only ones physically at the pool for the race. For those interested in becoming a sponsor, contact the club.

This is a “FUNdraising” event for the entire community and for people of all ages, Shawna said. Participating ducks can be purchased at the club website. On race day, the ducks will be dropped into one end of the Lodge pool and the race will begin as water hoses will be used to push them to the end of the pool.

“With your $3 donation to adopt a racing rubber duckie, you have the opportunity to cheer on your little quacker racing for the finish line and help raise money for our community,” Shawna said. “You can choose the specific pattern duck you would like to adopt to race and we will number it, email you the adoption certificate and keep it safe until race day.”

There are “quack packs” available for those who would like to purchase more than one duck. A Single Duckling (1) is $3, a Set of Twins (2) is $5, a Six Quack (6 ducks) is $10 and a Box of Quackers (15) is $20.

The ducks make great gifts for the kids and grandkids. Buy the ducks for them to race and they can watch their ducks live no matter where they live with the live stream and the Zoom.

The 1st Place Derby Duck will win $100 cash. Those finishing 2nd through 5th will also win some great prizes.

“We are looking for race sponsorships, so please message us to see how you can help support the event,” Shawna said. “Please contact us at 714-394-4885 or email info@familymnattersclub.org.”