Synergy’s Amazing Duck Race brought approximately 500 people to John Peake Park on Aug. 22, raising money for youth, mental-health and community programs while giving young volunteers a chance to lead one of the organization’s signature summer events.
Synergy reports that 465 of the available 500 rubber ducks were sponsored. Duck sales and donations raised approximately $7,000, with the amount eligible for a 50-per-cent match through the Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink program.
If the full matching amount is received, the fundraiser would generate approximately $10,500 for Synergy’s community programming.
The event combined an obstacle-course race with the traditional numbered-duck draw. Five pairs representing community organizations and services completed a series of activities before collecting a numbered rubber duck and crossing the finish line. Prizes went to the people who had sponsored the selected ducks.
The Calgary Yacht Club team of Barrett Duff and Jill Glendinning finished first. Their winning duck, number 373, was sponsored by Jennifer L.
Community Peace Officers Eli Steinfeld and Conor Caulkett placed second, selecting duck number 112 for sponsor Ida S.
Synergy volunteers Harsh Kaur and Dhairya Sharma finished third with duck number 484, sponsored by Brant E. The Chestermere Fire Department team of Adam Kambeitz and Robbie Heckle placed fourth, drawing duck number 389 for Caiden E.
The Chestermere Boxing Club’s Nicolas Grundau and Gurnoor Mahal completed the top five. Their duck, number 241, belonged to sponsor Bernie S.
Activities continued after the race with a youth vendor market, petting zoo and food trucks. The market was designed to give young entrepreneurs practical experience selling their products, interacting with customers and learning some of the responsibilities involved in operating a small business.
The Duck Race also marked the final event organized by Synergy’s youth interns and summer volunteers. Synergy said the young people gained work experience, practised life skills and helped community members see the talent and potential local youth bring to Chestermere.
Although the event is organized as a fundraiser, Synergy describes its purpose as broader than collecting donations. It was created as an accessible, family-friendly gathering where residents, businesses, volunteers and community agencies could spend time together while supporting programs serving local young people and families.
Money raised through the race helps Synergy offer free initiatives, respond to emerging community needs and support work connected to youth development, mental health and community wellbeing.
The turnout also demonstrated how a simple idea—a field of numbered rubber ducks and a playful obstacle course—can become a platform for volunteerism, youth leadership and local giving.
With 465 ducks sponsored and only 35 remaining unsold, the community came close to filling the entire race roster.
For Synergy’s interns and summer volunteers, the afternoon provided more than a final assignment. It gave them an opportunity to help deliver a major public event and see hundreds of residents gather around work they helped make possible.