Little ducks equal big bucks

Rubber duckies are usually seen in bathtubs, but Sunday, no bubble-bath was required as 1,500 of the squeaky yellow toys floated down the river in Norwalk. 

The Quack Attack, a non-profit organization formed by Norwalk native Damian Dinger and his fiancée Ashley Lewison, sends the numbered ducks into waterways to raise money for causes throughout the Norwalk area. 

Last weekend's event was part of the Norwalk Lions Club Truck and Tractor Pull.

"Three years ago, I came up with this idea," Dinger said. "I said, 'we should do a duck race.'"

He said the Norwalk library was undergoing construction of an addition at the time, so 400 ducks were purchased, numbered and sold as entries into the race. 

All 400 duckies were sold for that first event. This resulted in $1,200 paid to the library and $1,200 to the winner.

"The next year, we had 1,000 ducks to sell and we raised $2,550 for the winner, and that guy donated a thousand back to the school." That school was the Brookwood School District's food service program, which was in need of funds after delivering to students during the pandemic. 

Sunday's winner was Avery Brueggan, whose father Butch also donated some funds back to the Norwalk Fire Department, the 2021 chosen recipient. The Quack Attack was able to present a $4,500 check to them, thanks to the purchase of over 1,500 ducks.

Dinger, who owns Dinger's Ag and Auto Repair LLC, said he is grateful to the businesses who helped sell the duck entries, including Wildcat Bar and Grill LLC, Rivers End Bar and Grill, St. Joseph Equipment, Inc., The Place Cunitz Tavern, Norwalk Lions Club Truck and Tractor Pull, the Hitchin Post, Ryan Green of Green Repair and the Norwalk Fire Department. 

Dinger is a member of the Norwalk Fire Department, which was chosen to receive the proceeds via a vote by a group of volunteers who asked for online nominations. 

The "rubber duck wrangler" has no plans on slowing down the fundraising. "I want to keep this ball rolling," he said. 

Future events may include a local "Touch the Truck" experience for children. "My kids see equipment in fields and are amazed," Dinger said. He wants to let his children (ages 2 and 5) and other area youngsters have the chance to crawl around on ambulances, firetrucks and farm equipment. 

He has other community ideas, too. "I would love to do a couple of music-in-the-park nights," he said.

Giving back to the community is his passion, he said, adding that there are many young families in the area that could benefit from his (and the other volunteers with the Quack Attack) efforts.

Dinger said the group does not exist to raise funds for itself. Rather, it is a link to help other organizations. "It's not at all about the money," he said. "Every dime we bring in, we put back out." Alex Karis is the volunteer treasurer for the organization. 

Dinger is quick to give credit to his parents, fiancée, and other friends and family members who make the duck races possible. He said he is looking for more "helpful people who step up and have a similar vision."

With extra help, Dinger envisions helping even more people and he said he is "super grateful" to everyone who has pitched in. To say he is pleased with the way his idea has become reality is an understatement. "We've doubled every year," he said. "I never thought it would blow up like this!"

To find out how to volunteer or to know more about The Quack Attack, see their Facebook page.