Big Brothers Big Sisters...
Daffy Derby and Duck N’ Run Winners Announced 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby and Darke County held their annual Daffy Duck Derby and 5K on Thursday, June 21rd, starting at 7:30 p.m. in Tawawa Park in Sidney.  

Over 2,600 rubber ducks, which were “adopted” by community members and local corporate sponsors, were launched out of a box which was extended over the creek with the aid of a Ferguson Construction crane.  The event sponsors included Sidney Daily News, Hits 105.5, Kroger’s, Meyer’s Garage and Drive Thru, Inc., Dave Russell, CPA, LLC, Alvetro Orthodontics, Greenville High School Key Club, Freshway Foods, J. Robert Schweitzer Insurance, Hemmelgarn Services, Inc., Arens Corp., Versailles Savings & Loan Co., KTH Parts Industries, Reliable Business Solutions, Inc., Sell, Hegemann & Zimmerman Co., LPA, Production Paint Finishers. Inc., MJS Plastics Inc., Johnston Chiropractic Clinic, Inc., Sidney Foodtown, Regal Beloit, Tipp City, Upper Cervical Health Center, Gillespie Construction, Adecco, Dannon, and McCrate DeLaet & Co. 

Overall 11 prizes were awarded for the Duck Derby.  The grand prize winner for the duck race was Pattie Stearley ¬¬¬of Fort Loramie.  Pattie won a $1,000 shopping spree. 

Other prize winners include Trupointe Cooperative, of Piqua, who won 2 3-Day Passes to Country Concert compliments of Meyer Garage & Drive Thru and 1 Free Pizza compliments of Keyhole Pizza. Mike Barhorst, of Fort Loramie, who took home a     Cincinnati Get-Away Package with 4 single day park passes compliments of Kings Island and a Cincinnati overnight stay Compliments of Westin Cincinnati. Claire Counts of Botkins won a Sports enthusiast pack including 4 rounds of 18 holes of golf compliments of Beechwood Golf Course, $20 Gift certificate to CJ Highmarks, and 4 tickets to a Dayton Dragons game. Judy Boeke of Sidney will enjoy the Family Fun Package! 4 Tickets to Cosi, gift certificates compliments of Dave & Busters, and a basket full of family fun games compliments of Brethren’s Home! Keith Monnier of Sidney won the All Around Town Package, $25 Gift Certificate to The Bridge, $15 Gift Certificate to Cassano’s, $15 Gift Certificate to The Spot & Overnight stay at The Sidney Inn.; and Dorothy Francis of Anna won the Amped up Package! This includes a Complete Vehicle detailing compliments of Just Detailing, 1 free oil change compliments of Dirksen Automotive and a $40 Certificate for Fuel compliments of Northtowne Sunoco, Inc.  A $100 Wal-Mart Gift Card, compliments of Gillespie Construction, was won by Cindy Helman of Sidney, while a Pamper Package including $25 Gift Certificate to Panache Day Spa, $35 Gift Certificate & Jewelry box compliments of Allison’s Custom Jewelry was awarded to Jenni King of Botkins.  Jackie Dunson of Sidney won 4 Dayton Dragons Tickets compliments of Beau Townsend Ford & $50 cash, and Amanda Seigle of Anna won the Party Pack including a $104 valued gift certificate compliments of Picture Perfect & $10 Gift certificate to CJ Highmarks. 

The Sixth Annual 5K run/walk had 441 registered participants.  Top male finishers were Isaiah Bragg of Springfield at 15:26.1, Josiah Bragg of Springfield, and Joe Fuller of Sidney.  Top female winners were Lois Spitzer of Versailles at 19:49.7, Nicole Gannon of Anna, and Jenni King of Botkins. 

Proceeds from the event will benefit the local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency which matches at-risk children with volunteer adult role models.  These volunteers who are screened thoroughly by agency staff meet with children at least two times per month offering guidance, support, and positive role-modeling.  The concept of services by Big Brothers Big Sisters is to get community members to open up their lives to a young child within their own community.  It does not take a great deal of time, money, or talent; the volunteers just need to care about children. 

Community members who feel they don’t want to make a commitment of volunteering can help the agency in other ways.  The agency is always looking for cost saving ideas for activities that our volunteers can do with their matched Littles.  In the past years, companies and individuals have donated tickets to local events, sporting events, or hosted a special outing for the Big Brothers Big Sisters group. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit United Way member agency.  For more information on how you can become a volunteer and make a difference in a child’s life contact the local agency at 937-492-7611, 937-547-9622, or log onto our website at www.bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org.