News release by Riverview Rotary
The Danville Riverview Rotary eagerly stepped up in 2018 when Bill Sgrinia, a Rotarian and Director of Danville Parks and Recreation Department, approached the Club requesting its support and financial assistance to achieve the community’s vision for an innovative waterfront park in Downtown Danville located adjacent to Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge and Main Street Plaza.
Riverview Rotary’s annual Ducks on the Dan fundraising effort, supported by a huge team of Rotarians and community organizations, created the fundraising component that allowed Riverview Rotary to raise $50,000 in just three years.
“Although $50,000 is a small portion of the millions the City of Danville has secured for the construction of this vibrant addition to the downtown area, this gift is made possible because thousands of individuals donated $5 to watch 3,000 rubber ducks travel down the Dan River,” said Dr. Martha Walker Riverview Rotary’s president.
Business support for Ducks on the Dan comes from URW Community Federal Credit Union, Rippe’s, Commonwealth Home Health Care, Robert Woodall, Davis’ Automotive Restoration, Network Innovation, BB&T Scott & Stringfellow, eVince, Piedmont Printing & Graphics, Dominion Pool & Spa, Lawrence Distributing, Wilkins & Co Realtors, Docu System, Simpson Realty Company, Quality Construction, Eleventh Hour Design, Demont Design, Danville Paint & Supply, Harris Harvey Neal & Company, American National Bank & Trust, Lavinder Group & Associates, AFLAC – Lewis Giles, Advanced Building Technologies Inc., and 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co.
Each year, Interact students from Tunstall and Dan River High Schools join other volunteers to launch the ducks; the Danville Life Saving Crew and Chief Robbie Woodall work directly with Riverview to ensure a safe water event; and kayakers spend a morning navigating and wrangling ducks who stray too far past the finish line. Tickets are sold by Riverview members. On the day of the race, community members line the walking bridge to watch the explosion of yellow as the rubber ducks make their way down the rolling Dan. “We saw this as one more way Riverview Rotary could invest in the quality of life for Danville.
As a Rotarian, committee chair, and past President, I was dedicated to doing my part to reach our commitment” commented Glenn McClanahan. “All of this amazing work generated the dollars that made this $50,000 gift to the City of Danville possible.”
Sgrinia commented that “it is the generous support from civic organizations, businesses, foundations and individuals is making this park a reality.”
Riverview Rotary began its service to the Danville community in 1988 when Rotarians from the Danville Club acted on its vision to create a new Rotary club. This service organization is united with Rotarians throughout the world to “to exchange ideas, build relationships, and take action. For 33 years, Riverview Rotary has aggressively carried out its mission.
None of these service projects would have been possible without Riverview Rotary’s intense commitment to improve this region and each member of the community being willing to support the efforts. Overall, the club has generated over $900,000 in the last two decades enabling the Riverview Rotary Club to deliver on its “take action” mission.