Duck race will benefit senior citizens - Delaware County Daily Times article May 2, 2009

On May 16, a flock of ducks will be dumped into the Delaware River and they will race to the finish line to help wishes come true for county seniors.This whole scenario is the brainchild of Springfield residents Sallie and Clark Bongaardt, who are using the event to fund the non-profit Not-To-Be-Forgotten Foundation.In 2002, Sallie Bongaardt formed Comfort Keepers, a provider of assisted living-style care for seniors and the disabled in their homes after both of her parents died two months apart in 1999.Through that service, her employees have seen the struggles many seniors face and Bongaardt wanted to give them hope so she formed the Not-To-Be-Forgotten Foundation in September.Last fall, the foundation helped the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging provide 59 seniors with $300 of home fuel costs.“Two people were bed-bound with literally no heat,” Bongaardt said. “Another was a blind, partially deaf veteran of a foreign war.”They also hope to hold elder exploitation and medication educational programs.With the Pennsylvania Ducky Derby, featuring fowl of the rubber variety, Bongaardt wants to create a solid foundation to start providing wishes for seniors.“I’m hoping that the duck derby will raise sufficient funds to get the going on a big scale,” the foundation’s executive director said.She’s already had one request. A county lady was feeding her cats and dogs instead of herself and Bongaardt said she’s hoping her foundation can help fill that gap.She also has other ideas in mind.Bongaardt said some of the homes her staff enter need maintenance as residents are using buckets to catch the water coming through the holes on the roof.“It really tugs at your heart,” she said.Another senior, whose a huge baseball fan, has told them, “Before I die, I just want to see that new stadium.”To raise funds to fulfill these, the foundation is hosting the Pennsylvania Ducky Derby on May 16.Governor Printz Park opens at 1 p.m. that day for activities such as face painting and a moonbounce. Ducks can be adopted up to 3 p.m.“It’s going to be a fun, family day,” Bongaardt said.Depending on the tide, the ducks will be dropped into the river at 4 p.m. The grand prize winner wins a week stay at Sea Isle City, N.J. Second place takes an HDTV.Leading up to the race, a 12-feet inflatable duck is making its rounds throughout the county to encourage people to adopt the critters.Bongaardt just wants to honor those who came before her.“They are the (ones) who built our bridges, fought our wars, who made our country exactly what it is today,” she said.Remembering her call to help seniors, Bongaardt reiterated, “I’ve got to do this. I’ve got to do this now.”Ducks can be adopted for $5 each or six for $25 online at http://www.ntbff.org/ or by calling 888-521-4333. They can also be adopted at Comfort Keepers or Best Buy in Springfield, at any M&T Bank in the county or the Granite Run Mall. this article originally printed and shared from the Delaware County Daily Times on May 2, 2009, Kathleen Carey, writer kcarey@delcotimes.com
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