Rubber Duck Regatta floats to IU

Dunn Meadow: trees, beautiful landscape, the Jordan River and ... smiling yellow ducks? \nThis Sunday in Dunn Meadow, Alpha Phi Omega will be presenting the 18th annual Rubber Duck Regatta on the Jordan River.\nThe Rubber Duck Regatta is the service fraternity’s big philanthropic event. The regatta will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation this year. The fraternity hopes to make this the most successful community event it has ever held. \nThe Make-A-Wish Foundation works to grant wishes for children facing life-threatening medical conditions. The organization was founded in 1980 and grants a child’s wish in the United States about every 40 minutes, according to the foundation’s Web site.\nThis year, all proceeds of the event will benefit a 4-year-old girl from Bloomington who is facing mitochondrial disease. The girl’s dream is to go to Disney World. The fraternity is trying to raise at least $4,000.\nThe event not only benefits Make-A-Wish, but the fraternity as well. \n“I think the most rewarding part of the regatta is how the (fraternity) has come together to plan the event,” junior Karen Krogman said.\nKrogman and sophomore Alex Luboff are organizing the event. \n“We’ve been planning the event all year, but we really started getting organized during winter break,” Krogman said.\nThe regatta will be divided into several heats. Anyone can buy “a duck for a buck” or six ducks for $5 to enter and support the cause. Entrants can purchase as many ducks as they want to increase their chances of winning.\nThe first-, second- and third-place winners will receive prizes that local businesses donated. Donors include Yogi’s, T.I.S. Bookstore, Aver’s Pizza and many others. The first-place winner will receive $100 in cash. There are also certain ducks that can win special prizes for competitors.\nFor those not participating in the regatta, there will be free food, games and activities for the public throughout the race. \nAll are welcome to race or to come enjoy the event. The event starts at noon and is planned to last until 4 p.m.