Community Missions annual Duck Race benefits hungry and homeless in Niagara County

Community Missions will hold its annual Duck Race, presented by Fidelis Care, at the Canal Fest of the Tonawandas at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 25. The race will take place in the Erie Canal between Tonawanda and North Tonawanda.

Thousands of spectators are expected over the weeklong festival (Sunday, July 19, through Sunday, July 26).

This year, 2,400 plastic ducks are available for entry into the race. Entrants will compete for a chance to win prizes. Ducks can be purchased for $5 each, six for $25, 13 for $50, or 30 for $100. They are available online at www.communitymissions.org or at the Community Missions tent during Canal Fest.

All event proceeds benefit the agency's crisis services programs, which include the community soup kitchen, clothes closet, food pantry and emergency housing shelter. This signature event will assist in continuing to provide food and shelter to the neediest neighbors of Niagara County.

Community Missions also is looking for volunteers to assist in selling ducks throughout the week at the agency's tent. Anyone interested is asked to contact Andrea Gray at 716-285-3403, ext. 2225, or [email protected].

About Community Missions

Since its founding in 1925, Community Missions has provided a unique blend of referral, crisis, community support and residential services for youth and adults. In 2014, it provided more than 76,000 meals and 10,000 nights of care to neglected or abused children and homeless adults. Additional agency programs serve adults and youth with psychiatric disabilities, parolees, at-risk youth and other underserved populations in both residential and recovery-oriented settings.

For more information, visit www.communitymissions.org.