特殊奥林匹克伊利诺伊州分会在芝加哥河举办年度鸭子赛（Ducky Derby），共有9万只橡皮鸭参与竞赛[1]。参赛者可通过赞助单只鸭子来支持该筹款活动，其中10美元赞助费提供运动员午餐，30美元则可赞助6只鸭子组合并获得金牌[1]。
这项活动已募集超过48万美元[1]。最快的鸭子赞助者将赢得一辆SUV，亚军赞助者获得2500美元现金[1]。参赛鸭子在水中竞速约15分钟[1]。13岁的特殊奥林匹克运动员Becky Cavanagh担任本次鸭子赛大使[1]。
Special Olympics Illinois hosted its annual Ducky Derby on the Chicago River, where 90,000 rubber ducks competed in a race to support the organization's mission [1]. Participants could sponsor individual ducks for $10, which provided meals for athletes, or purchase a package of six ducks for $30, which included a gold medal [1]. The event has raised more than $480,000 to date [1].
The top prizes incentivized participation in the whimsical competition. The sponsor of the fastest duck won a sport utility vehicle, while the second-place sponsor received $2,500 in cash [1]. The ducks spent approximately 15 minutes racing through the water near Columbus Avenue Bridge [1]. Thirteen-year-old Special Olympics athlete Becky Cavanagh served as the race's ambassador, helping promote the fundraising effort [1].