The Great Helen Duck Race was held on October 26 in Helen, GA. Pictured: Kathy Johnson (volunteer), Mervin Barbree (winner), Cami Downey, Tami Terrall (Executive Board Members). (submitted)
(Helen)- A quack, quack, quacking amount of money – upwards of $45,000 – was raised to support homeless children and their families in Northeast Georgia during the 9th Annual Great Helen Duck Race was held on Saturday, October 26, in the heart of Oktoberfest.
Ducks take to the water
Over 3,000 yellow rubber duckies splashed into the Chattahoochee River to race to the finish line at Helen Festhalle. The race is sponsored each year by Family Promise of White & Habersham (FPWH).
First-place winner Mervin Barbree was awarded $5,000 as the Grand Prize Duck Winner. Barbree chose to honor the late Bill Owen by designating his duck as a Founder’s Duck and donated half of his winnings back to FPWH.
Second (Danielle Neal) and third-place (Melodee Spevack) winners received $750 in prizes.
And…an all-time favorite is the recognition of the last-place finisher (Mark Elkins)
Crucial help for the homeless
The Great Helen Duck Race plays a crucial role in supporting FPWH. The proceeds support the only homeless shelter in White County which is a vital resource for homeless families in Habersham County as well.
Local church congregations and volunteers contribute to supporting families in need with shelter, nutritious meals, and loving fellowship for families who enter the program for an average of three months.
FPWH empowers families to regroup and grow from homelessness to self-sufficiency, offering hope and stability in challenging times.
For more information on how you can help, please contact Martie Brooks at (706) 969-0854.
