Rubber Duckie Derby Returns to Mt. Greenwood Park Benefitting Special Olympics Chicago

Calling all Rubber Duckie Racers! The sixth annual Rubber Duckie Derby, sponsored by Advanced Eye Care Professionals will return to Mt. Greenwood Park on Saturday, September 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This morning of fun, prizes and exciting rubber duckie races will benefit the more than 5,000 athletes of the Special Olympics Chicago program.

Now an annual family tradition, attendees are invited to adopt a rubber duckie for $5 either at the event (until noon) or before September 17 at the following locations:

• Advanced Eye Care Professionals, 10320 South Cicero; Oak Lawn, Ill.
• Marie’s Café and Catering, 3660 West 111th Street; Chicago, Ill.
• Niko’s Breakfast Club, 4002 West 111th Street; Oak Lawn, Ill.
• Flapjack’s, 4710 West 95th Street; Oak Lawn, Ill.

Ducks may also be purchased by visiting Special Olympics Chicago.

Each $5 donation will enter a rubber duck in the derby race, which will begin promptly at noon. The top two duckie racers will advance to the final round, with the winning duck’s family awarded a $500 Apple gift card.

For kids of all ages, a number of activities will be available including face painters, a magician, an inflatable Ninja Castle, carnival games, and a petting zoo by Erin & Nature’s Creature Animal Show.

Fabulous prizes donated by local businesses will be awarded throughout the day.

Food provided by Fat Tommy’s will be available for purchase, with all proceeds being donated to Special Olympics Chicago.

Dr. Casey Hogan said that she and her staff at Advanced Eyecare Professionals have had the opportunity to get to know the athletes and their families, and to cheer them on at various events and competitions. The Duckie Derby is a great way to spend the day, and to give back to an organization that helps to make a lasting impact on so many lives.

Hogan is owner of the Oak Lawn optometry practice at 10320 S. Cicero Ave. and board president of the Special Olympics Chicago.

“Each year, we are overwhelmed by the incredible support of the Duckie Derby by local businesses, my patients at Advanced Eye Care Professionals, and the Beverly/Mt. Greenwood/Oak Lawn community as a whole,” Hogan said. “Special Olympics Chicago changes the lives of individuals with disabilities and makes the world a better place. There is nothing more exciting than seeing the look on an athlete’s face when they finish a competition or reach a new goal.”

The sixth annual AEP Duckie Derby is generously supported by: Advanced Eye Care Professionals, Fat Tommy’s, Flapjack’s, Marie’s Café & Catering, Niko’s Breakfast Club; and University of Illinois at Chicago.

All donations will be presented to Special Olympics Chicago. Special Olympics was born in the city of Chicago in 1968 with 1000 athletes competing at Soldier Field. The Special Olympics Chicago program is the largest chapter in the state. Athletes compete year-round in over 22 sports.

Mt. Greenwood Park is located at 3724 West 111th Street in Chicago, Ill. For more information, please call 708.229.2200. For more information, please visit the AEP Rubber Duckie Derby Facebook page.

To make an online donation, please visit Special Olympics Chicago.