AFTER a two-year hiatus, the Pacific Islands Club is once again hosting a fundraising duck race at its Lazy River.
The event was held annually for 15 consecutive years but was postponed from 2020 to 2022 due to the Covid-19 global pandemic.
This year’s duck race will be held on Feb. 24, 2023, Friday, at 6 p.m.
In an interview, PIC Animations and Events Manager Reymark Castro said they hope the community will join the duck race because the proceeds will go to the Commonwealth Cancer Association or CCA.
“PIC always finds a way to support non-government organizations and we are especially very dedicated in supporting the islands’ fight against cancer,” he said.
The biggest duck race, so far, was held in 2016 when PIC sold 5,000 tickets, he added. Past events also raised funds for CCA.
“We understand the difficulty cancer patients go through,” Castro said. “We want to at least alleviate some of the financial costs and this duck race is our way to help cancer patients.”
Each ticket costs $5 and is equivalent to one rubber duck.
This year’s duck race prizes are:
1st prize – $2,023
2nd prize – $500
3rd prize – $200
4th prize – $50
“It’s the year 2023 so we decided to give out the same amount as the grand prize,” Castro said, adding that there are 2,500 rubber ducks prepared for this year’s event.
He is encouraging community members to purchase tickets early.
Each of the rubber ducks will have a corresponding number which will also be assigned to the ticket owner.
“I am glad that this year, after two years of pandemic, we once again have a chance to help cancer patients fight their battles,” Castro said.
He is asking the community to support CCA by joining the duck race which is also a fun event for the children.
Those who have duck tickets will get a discount on PIC’s swimming pool entrance fee from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Castro is likewise inviting swimmers to join a two-man relay or swim race in the PIC Lazy River which will be held on the same day, Feb. 24, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Interested swimmers should join in pairs.
To purchase tickets or for more information, call PIC Saipan at (670) 234-7976 or Reymark Castro at (670) 237-5147. You can also email reymark.castro@picsaipan.com/.
PIC Animations and Events Manager Reymark Castro poses at the hotel’s Lazy River, the venue of the duck race set for Feb. 24, 2023.
