Mr. Quackers makes a scene around town as annual duck race approaches

Mr. Quackers is going viral in Northport, making his way down Main Street and beyond – all for a cause that benefits the lives of people in need, near and far. The Northport Rotary Duck Race is scheduled for noon on August 20 and organizer Mark Gross has been building momentum, with Quackers in tow, to make this the most successful year yet.

“There is a big buzz in town,” Gross told the Journal during a park bench interview last week. “Everybody has been so supportive,” he said, including local merchants and residents who have purchased ducks to raise money for over 25 charities.

Last year, the race raised about $25,000 and Gross hopes to exceed that amount this year. He’s been preparing for this event since April, attending community events and the farmers’ market throughout the summer, even handing out over 1,500 mini duckies to curious kids.

“Every duck truly makes a difference. Every dollar that comes in through the Northport Rotary Club goes out to charities,” Gross explained. From funding Northport High School scholarships, to veteran programs, local food pantries, and cancer research organizations, the reach of the Rotary is far and wide.

“One of my favorite organizations, as a father myself, is Gift of Life, which provides heart surgeries for children in third world countries that would not be able to get the proper care,” Gross said. Just last week, the Rotary met an 8-year-old girl named Nazanin from Azerbaijan, who had open heart surgery at Cohen's Medical Center at nine months old, thanks to the club’s donation. She returned to the states with her mother, Vafa, for a successful mitral valve repair procedure.

“This year, Mr. Quackers is going to be everywhere,” Gross noted, adding that strong community involvement is making a major difference this time around. “I’m letting everyone know that the duck is cute and all, but there’s a reason why we’re going to be in that water on August 20. It’s very special to me.”

The Northport Rotary Duck Race will take place on August 20, beginning at noon at the end of Main Street overlooking the harbor. There will be at least two heats, with the first place prize in each heat being $2,000, second place $1,000, and third $500. You can purchase a duck for $50 at the Northport Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings from 8am-12:30pm or by clicking here. Until the race, look out for Mark Gross in his bright blue and yellow duck shirt, and Mr. Quackers, who is visiting businesses throughout Northport and East Northport to help spread the word about this important and impactful event.

The funds raised for the race will support the following causes and organizations:
Breath of Life
Rotary Gift of Life
Kids Need More
Hindi’s Library
American Legion - Northport 694
American Cancer Society
Northport High School Scholarships
Drug and Alcohol Task Force
St. Baldrick’s Cancer Research
Camp Pa Qua Tuck
Soles4Souls Shoe Drive
Pal-O-Mine Equestrian
Community Service Local Food Pantries
Northport Rotary Holiday Helpers
Pizza Night at Northport VA American Legion
Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice
Northport High School Interact Club
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Rotary Youth Exchange
Students for 60,000
Haiti Water/Solar/Medical/Literacy Missions
The Elijah School
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Northport Community Band
Juvenile Diabetes Research
Erica Josephson Foundation
General Needs
Boomer Esiason Foundation
Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative