Duck Race proceeds help Nature Playscape
On Tuesday, November 29, members of the Deschutes Children’s Foundation Board of Directors joined Executive Director Amy Ward to accept a $10,000 donation presented by Credit Unions Working Together, the title sponsors of the 2016 Great Drake Park Duck Race.
“We are so thankful for this donation, which supports both our Nature Playscape project and our general operating budget. Deschutes Children’s Foundation brings nonprofits supporting children and families together at our four community campuses, so there is a lot of synergy between our work and the collaboration of these great credit unions joining forces to support our community,” said Ward.
Credit Unions Working Together is comprised of SELCO, OnPoint, Oregonians, First Community, and Mid Oregon Credit Unions. This group has been working together since 2011 to support the Great Drake Park Duck Race. This year was the 27 th year of the Duck Race, which is organized annually by the four Rotary clubs in Bend. Over the past 27 years, the event has contributed over $1.25 million to local charities.
“We are very proud of our involvement in the Duck Race over the years,” said Kyle Frick, VP of Marketing for Mid Oregon Credit Union, “bringing credit unions together to help our community and provide needed resources demonstrate the cooperative, people helping people philosophy we share.”
Deschutes Children’s Foundation has recently completed the Nature Playscape project at East Bend Campus, updating and expanding its heavily used playground to feature a variety of areas and activities to accommodate the children’s various ages and developmental stages. To build gross motor skills there is a trike path that includes tunnels, hills, rumbles and bumps as well as a web climbing net, boulders and rock walls. Children will grow their own berries, herbs, and flowers and cultivate a deeper understanding of nature through native plants and an expanded garden. Opportunities for imagination and collaborative, creative play abound. “The construction is complete,” said Ward. “Now we just wait for the flowers – and the children – to blossom.”
About Deschutes Children’s Foundation:
Established in 1990, Deschutes Children’s Foundation’s mission is to promote a community of services to the children and families of Deschutes County. DCF provides work space and facility management to non-profits serving children and families at four community campuses throughout Deschutes County.
More information about the Nature Playscape project can be found at www.deschuteschildrensfoundation.org/nature
