25,000 Rubber Ducks Make a Splash at Eastside Centre at 29th Annual Duck Race Benefitting The Center for Prevention of Abuse

The Center for Prevention of Abuse hosted its 29^th Annual Duck Race today at Eastside Centre where 25,000 rubber ducks raced down a giant 750-foot water slide.

Attendees participated in free activities for kids including a photo booth, face painting, bounce houses, refreshments from Papa Murphy’s and Kona Ice before the race began at 2:00 p.m.

The owners of the first 15 ducks to cross the finish line were awarded prizes. The first duck to cross the finish line and win the grand prize belonged to Jean Kenney of Peoria.

This year’s full list of winner’s includes:

Grand Prize $5,000 Sponsored by Associated Bank Jean Kenney, Peoria

$2,500 Sherman’s Gift Card Sponsored by Sherman’s Birgitta Mackiewicz, Peoria

$500 Kroger Gift Card Sponsored by Kroger Janet Roth, Peoria

$500 Summer Savings Bundle Sponsored by Hy-Vee and Casey’s Perry Johnson, Peoria

Date Night Bundle (Two Limelight Ticket Vouchers, $75 Gift Card to Darden Restaurants, and four hours of babysitting for four months from College Nannies + Sitters + Tutors Elizabeth Gast, Peoria

$250 JP Penny Gift Card Sponsored by JC Penny Mary Hisler, Peoria

$250 Hy-Vee Gift Card Sponsored by Hy-Vee Domonique Anderson, Oklahoma City

Hotels at Grand Prairie Party Package Gary Cobb, Peoria

$250 Amazon Gift Card Sponsored by Doug Williams Construction Janet Baner, Eureka

Car Care Bundle Sponsored by RJ Distributing (Red Carpet Gift Card, Beachlers Vehicle Care & Repair Gift Certificate, $100 Gas Gift Car) Bob Lindsay, Dunlap

$150 Levee District Gift Care Basket Sponsored by Getz Fire Shannon Gass, Glasford

Sunny Day Package (Red Carpet Gift Card, Beachlers Vehicle Care & Repair Gift Certificate, Maui Jim Sunglasses) Nicole Campen, Bartonville

$100 Amazon Gift Card Sponsored by Miller, Hall & Triggs Ken White, Peoria

Four-Pack of Tanner’s Orchard Season Passes Sponsored by Tanner’s Orchard Zach Oyler & Heather Oyler, Peoria

$100 Jeffrey Alans Gift Card Marilee Keyser, Elmwood

After the race, kids joined forces in a “Superhero Cleanup Crew” where they wore colorful superhero masks and capes to help clean up all the ducks.

“We would like to thank everyone who sponsored a duck, came out to Race Day, and our generous sponsors who helped us put on a wonderful event in East Peoria,” said Carol Merna, Executive Director of The Center for Prevention of Abuse. “We couldn’t have done it without Mayor Dave Mingus, Doug McCarty of Eastside Centre, Rick Swan of the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce, and the East Peoria Fire Department. We are thankful for all the support that helps us build a safe and peaceful community.”

All funds raised through the Duck Race stay local, go directly toward client services, and help all women, men, and children live free from violence and abuse.