TRAVERSE CITY - The 39th annual Optimist duck race, a National Cherry Festival tradition on the Boardman River, is raising more than $45,000 for area youth this year, organizers say.
Proceeds support the Optimist Youth Foundation, which maintains a cabin property used by youth groups, runs programs throughout the year and awards grants annually, said Mike Brown, with the Optimist Club.
“We’re a smaller club, but we have a big impact,” Brown said.
Local youth groups sell ducks for the race and keep all of the profits from their sales, said JJ Chouinard, with the club.
“It’s going directly to the youth and making that direct impact,” Chouinard said.
Organizations benefiting from the race include local scouts, the Grand Traverse YMCA swim team, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Child and Family Services, according to organizers. More than 45 businesses are involved in this year’s event.
“Business owners love to give back to this community, which makes this such a great town in itself,” Chouinard said.
The Optimist Club has operated in the community for more than 70 years.
“We’re grateful for all the people who came before us,” Brown said. “And we’re trying to do our part.”