On behalf of the over 3,800 children served, we at The Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Acadiana for their support of our 17th Annual Great Acadiana Running of the Ducks. This year's race was unprecedented, with over $30,000 worth of prizes donated by local businesses and almost 4,000 more ducks adopted than in recent years! A total of 20,594 ducks raced ' ranking us 12th in the nation, with over 100 races run annually in the United States.
To run an event of this magnitude it takes so much community support, from the businesses that donate cars and prizes, to each and every person that adopts one duck. Special thanks to Sharon Moss and Moss Honda for serving as the grand prize sponsor for the eleventh year. We also want to thank all the local banks and bank tellers and Sonic Restaurants for serving as adoption sites this year. Finally, thanks to KLFY TV-10, Citadel Broadcasting and The Daily Advertiser and all local media for helping us spread the word. Everyone makes a difference! This year the people of Acadiana stepped up to the plate and have chosen to make a difference in a child's life.
The funds raised by this event directly impact our clubs that are located in Opelousas, New Iberia, Abbeville and Lafayette. With this money we are able to assure that the at-risk youth of Acadiana have a safe after-school environment with lots of loving and caring adults nurturing and guiding them. They are involved in self-esteem classes, gang awareness classes, art and crafts and technology training, many things that many other children take for granted. Again, we applaud the people of Acadiana for their support. You have chosen to be a part of the future of so many children ' you have chosen to be a part of the solution.
Mary Galyean, Corporate Board President, Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana
Joan Boudreaux, Event Chairman, 2007 Great Acadiana Running of the Ducks