Ducks take to the water at Raging Rivers

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By Cory Davenport

Every 18-24 months, Jersey Community Hospital (JCH) makes the call to replace an ambulance from their three-vehicle fleet. These life-saving, specialty trucks can cost as much as a quarter of a million dollars a piece. And, to make this already expensive endeavor even more challenging, ambulances are currently on back order during lingering “supply chain issues.” In fact, JCH is still waiting for its new ambulance from two years ago.

Undaunted by this challenge, the JCH Foundation rallies the community together to raise funds to continue expanding hospital services, embracing new technology, and adding to and maintaining the equipment the hospital already has. JCH Foundation Director, and temporary Duck Wrangler, Charity Roth said ambulances are a pressing concern due to the sheer size of the operational area of JCH’s service.

“They cover a large area, including three counties,” she said. “They also take people as far away as Chicago, and go to St. Louis all the time transporting patients.”

Roth wore her temporary “Duck Wrangler” hat Thursday of last week for the biggest annual fundraiser hosted by the JCH Foundation – the Duck Derby. While only in its second year, Roth told the Jersey County Journal it all-but-entirely reached its lofty goal of raising $50,000 toward the purchase of a new ambulance.

“We had 48 or 49 thousand,” she said Friday afternoon, following the event. “For all intents and purposes, we reached our goal.”

For those not hip to duck derbies, it is a race of rubber ducks held at Grafton’s iconic Raging Rivers Water Park, specifically, it takes place in its circular “Endless River.” Local businesses, organizations, and community members take part in a variety of fun events, including multiple duck races. Ducks and the event itself are sponsored by various businesses across the region.

“We had people donate items for us to give away as far away as Holiday World in (Santa Claus,) Indiana,” she said. “We also got Six Flags tickets from St. Louis.”

Entertainment for the event was provided by local Heartland Rock cover band, the Glendale Riders, as well as the Jersey Community School District’s very own Jazz Band. Catering was provided by Johnson’s Corner in Alton.

Roth said she was grateful for everyone who came out and donated their time and money toward a cause guaranteed to benefit everyone living within the JCH ambulance coverage area.

The main event of the evening was a massive lap of a thousand toy ducks, each sponsored by someone. Of all of them, Debra Ramirez of the Got Faith organization, beat the incredible odds and won the night’s grand prize of $1,000 – one for each racing duck.

“It’s awesome she won,” Roth said. “They’ve supported us with a lot of things.”

Roth was also thankful for everyone who contributed to the event itself. She credited the huge success of the sophomore derby to the community involvement and dedication.

“People couldn’t believe this was just our second year doing it,” she said. “We had an amazing team with so many volunteers stepping up to help.”

More than 72 individuals and as many as 60 organizations, businesses, and other community entities contributed to the event. Roth thanked local students, JCH workers, and other volunteers, adding she hoped it would get even better next year.

Outside of the Duck Derby, the JCH Foundation also hosts a golf tournament in May for local students to receive scholarships and a spring fish fry. There is also the JCH Foundation Resale Shop, located at 201 S Jefferson St. in Jerseyville, which uses revenue to further fund the efforts of Roth and her team.

“Our whole purpose is being able to ensure the hospital has what it needs to support the community as a whole,” she said. “We want to be able to save lives and make sure the hospital can be the best it can be.”

Further donations can be made through the JCH Foundation website, www.JCH.org/Lucky.