Games to benefit muscular dystrophy research: Duck race on the Kishwaukee River

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DeKALB - Children with muscular dystrophy will get to go to summer camp because plastic ducks will race on an April morning. Alpha Phi Omega, a coed service fraternity on campus, will host its fifth annual duck race at 10 a.m. Saturday to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camp. The duck race is an annual event that brings the DeKalb/Sycamore community together for a day of games and food for the entire family. Each plastic duck will be sold for $1 to family members and individuals within the community - or they can get six for $5. Each duck is given a number, and the ducks will be sent down the Kishwaukee River in a race. At the conclusion of the race, first-, second- and third-place duck owners will receive prizes donated by local businesses. Prizes this year will include tickets to a minor league sporting event, gift certificates to local restaurants and free rounds of miniature golf. There also will be chances to win drawings and raffles at the event. Alpha Phi Omega also is planning various kids' games and inflatable entertainment for the event. Local police and fire departments will come out with their police cars and fire engines so that kids can play on them and see how the equipment works. According to Ashley LePard, fundraising coordinator, the NIU Athletic Department has been a big supporter of the duck race in the past. Members of various teams come out for autographs and face-painting, and there is a performance by the dance team. Pizza and ice cream will be provided free to those who participate in the race. The proceeds from the duck race are donated to the DeKalb Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Thousands of dollars have been donated to the MDA organization in the past, and Alpha Phi Omega hopes to increase its donation this year. This money is used to send children with the disease to a camp where they are given the opportunity to interact with others living with muscular dystrophy. There is no registration for this event, which is open to everyone in the DeKalb/Sycamore area. Ducks can be purchased up until Saturday from members of Alpha Phi Omega.