COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A total of 3,423 little rubber ducks floated down the Sauk River at Waterworks Park in Coldwater, competing in the 32nd Annual John Roloff Coldwater Exchange Club Duck Race, raising thousands of dollars for local organizations.
What started out as the Great Hospice Duck Race to support home health and hospice programs this year will benefit Royal Family Kids Camp, which provides a summer camp experience for children in foster care, the Branch County Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and Oaklawn Hospice which services Branch County.
There were prizes for the top 25 finishers, with Mark Lane of Coldwater’s duck finishing first to win him $2,025 in cash donated by Dutcher Funeral Home. A duck adopted by Jerry and Mary Ann Ford finished second, winning them a golf membership at the Coldwater Golf Course, while Kati Wright’s duck finished third to win her a half ounce 24 karat gold bullion coin donated by Union Pallet and Container.
For the first 30 years the event started by Pete Barone and a volunteer committee donated the proceeds to the Community Health Center and Promedica Home Health and Hospice program. Once those programs were eliminated by the hospital, the Coldwater Noon Exchange Club took over the race.
This year’s event was renamed The John Roloff Coldwater Exchange Club Duck Race. Rohloff was part of the original committee, and each year guarantees 125 sponsors at $125 each.
This year’s total was around 1,000 more ducks adopted compared to 2024’s race.
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