Longtime Special Olympian named Duck Ambassador for Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby
Special Olympics Illinois is gearing up for the 10th annual Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby on Aug. 6, when thousands of spectators watch 60,000 rubber ducks splash into the Chicago River from the Columbus Drive Bridge and race toward the finish line.
This year, Nick Lorenz, 20, of Peotone was selected as the official Duck Ambassador. Last year - his first year involved in the Ducky Derby - he sold an astounding 2,090 ducks for his Darling Ducklings sales team, a record-setting amount for an individual on any team.
Nick has been a Special Olympics Illinois athlete for 12 years, competing in bowling, bocce, swimming, track, softball and basketball. He's an avid Chicago sports fan - always cheering on the Bulls, Blackhawks, White Sox, Cubs and Wolves. When he's not competing, Nick volunteers at his church, helps his uncle at a food pantry and assists at Lincolnway Special Recreation Association where he competes.
Nick will represent events throughout the summer and will remain an active member of the Darling Ducklings, trying to beat his record from last year.
Race Day kicks off at 10 a.m. at 400 N. Michigan Avenue with entertainment for the entire family - including appearances by several sports mascots. Splashdown for the Duck Derby is at 1 p.m. Ducks will be sold at the event until 12:30 p.m.
The funds raised will help support year- round sports training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 22,000 Special Olympics athletes and nearly 21,000 Young Athletes (ages 2-7) throughout Illinois.
Adopt a duck for $5, a Quack Pack (6 ducks for $25), a Flock of Ducks (24 ducks for $100) of new this year a Decade of Ducks Donor package (240 ducks for $1,000) for your chance to win one of the Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby's great prizes including a new 2015 Chevy Trax or an all-inclusive Apple Vacation. Join the conversation on Race Day using #chiduckyderby.
Duck adoption sales teams are forming throughout the area and they compete for bragging rights and great prizes. To form a sales team, download a registration form at www.chicagoduckrace.com. If groups or companies would like more information about getting involved, contact Shelley Chenoweth at schenoweth@soill.org or call (630) 942-5619.
The Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby is presented by Jewel Osco. Thank you to TD Ameritrade, Amplivox, Big Ten Network, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Durham School Services, Dunkin' Donuts, Lake Shore Recycling Systems, Fox 32 Chicago, IlliniCare Health Plan, Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers, Apple Vacations, Chicagoland Speedway, Coca-Cola, Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel, The Fashion Outlets of Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times, KISS FM, BIG 95.5, iFly, The Wrigley Building, Sprint, Shoreline Sightseeing, Chicago Water Taxi, Zeller Realty Group, Veolia Environmental Services, Wendella, Kings Rosemont, Skinny Pop, and The Village of Bridgeview for sponsoring the event.
If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call (800) 394-0562 or visit www.soill.org.