Rubber Duckies Race Again for Barrington Schools

The bright yellow rubber duckies race again Saturday afternoon, Sept. 21, in Barrington. All for a great cause – the schools.

Yes, the Barrington Education Foundation will send hundreds of numbered rubber duckies across Woods Pond with some help from a couple of Barrington Fire Department hoses for the annual fundraiser. The race starts at 3 pm.

The first three ducks plucked from the water by Barrington Superintendent Mike Messore will win an iPad Mini, a Kindle Fire HD with a $50 gift card to Amazon, and an iPod Touch. You don’t have to be there to win.

Race time is 3 pm but plenty of other fun activities for kids of all ages and their families run from 2 to 4 pm outside the Barrington library.

“In addition to the excitement of the race, there will be a DJ with dancing fun and contests, ducky-themed games and prizes, a giant inflatable jumper provided by the Bayside YMCA, balloons provided by the Wireless Zone, face painting, tattoos, Del’s Lemonade, popcorn, ducky cupcakes donated by The Sweet Shoppe and more,” said Julie Chalue, race chair again this year. “ It will be a blast! “

“We at BEF are so thrilled to offer a fun day out for families that has the added bonus of whatever dollars a family wants to spend actually benefit our entire community,” she said. “BEF is a board of dynamic volunteers that are committed to helping our educators find budgetary and program gaps, and fill as many as possible through our fundraising and grant efforts.

When the teachers see a need within their school, they take the time to write grant requests, which we attempt to fill in order to maintain the excellence of the Barrington School District. Our children and our schools benefit so our entire town benefits, from the efforts of BEF.  I am so proud to be part of this community event.”

Tickets are $10 each or 6 for $50. Click here to get more information on the BEF website or to print your own tickets. 

BEF is in its 21st year.  The non-profit organization has raised and awarded over $950,000 to fund a wide range of programs, technology, and materials for the schools.  Grants are awarded annually, providing a direct benefit for the enrichment of students in every grade and school in the district.

“BEF funds programs and items that are traditionally outside of what the district would cover,” said BEF co-president Anna Clancy.  

“We focus on opportunities that are innovative and wide-reaching.,” said BEF co-president Deanna Donnelly. “We are thrilled to be nearing the $1,000,000-mark in total grants to the Barrington Public Schools since BEF ‘s inception.  It is a huge number, but such a testament to the support of our community and the dedication of our volunteers.”

Title sponsors this year are Jaffe Orthodontics and the Verizon Wireless Zone.  Other sponsors include The Sweet Shoppe, Residential Properties, YoGoCrazy, and New England Properties.