Duck drop at Crane Elementary School raises money for local FBLA chapter
FBLA member Lillie McMenamy and FBLA advisor Morgan Chapman ride in the helicopter and drop ducks.
Kadee Brosseau DeCourley
It’s a bird, it’s a plane! No, it’s a helicopter dropping rubber ducks.
Last Thursday afternoon, Crane Elementary students looked to the sky with anticipation as a helicopter approached overhead. As the helicopter got closer, they clapped and cheered with excitement as it dropped rubber ducks from high above the field behind the school.
“I wanted to find a fundraiser that would benefit my students but could be enjoyed by the community as well. Thanks to CSCO, the elementary kids were able to pick up a duck after the helicopter dropped them and turn them in at a giant "duck pond store" for a prize,” Crane High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Advisor Morgan Chapman said.
FBLA members sold rubber ducks to friends and family members prior to the duck drop event. People who purchased a duck had their name assigned to a duck. When the ducks were dropped from the helicopter, the duck that landed closest to a huge bullseye on a tarp on the ground won the grand prize.
“The money from the Duck Drop fundraiser goes directly towards the cost of travel to Chicago for our national conference at the end of June,” Chapman explained. “The students raised over $2,000 for their trip. The money went straight to the cost of their travel, many students will only have to purchase their meals on a trip that originally cost over $900 per student.”
Chapman said the duck drop fundraiser will significantly lower the cost of the upcoming trip for the students attending the conference. However, that is not the only reason the students were glad to participate in the fundraiser event.
“I think they were motivated to sell the ducks to lower the cost of their trip, but the icing on the cake was watching the kids' reaction to seeing a helicopter at school,” Chapman said.
Chapman said it was great to see the community support the students by purchasing ducks. She said it is important for students to recognize that many people care for them and want to encourage them throughout their high school journeys and beyond.
“I want my students to graduate and be successful but remember the sacrifices and genuine kindness the Crane Community provided to them. It's a great life lesson and I hope they circle back and can provide the same support to future students. The Crane Community helped build me which is why I want to help build future FBLA members. Support shows students that they matter!” Chapman said.
Aside from the people who purchased ducks, Chapman said other people and organizations helped make this event possible.
“CSCO donated all the duck pond prizes, a local family donated the cost of the helicopter and Branson Helicopter Tours were excellent to work with. They were pros, doing several events like this in the area including easter egg drops, golf ball drops and rubber ducks!” Chapman said.
Anyone who would like to support the FBLA students on their trip to Chicago can contact Crane High School.
It’s a bird, it’s a plane! No, it’s a helicopter dropping rubber ducks.
Last Thursday afternoon, Crane Elementary students looked to the sky with anticipation as a helicopter approached overhead. As the helicopter got closer, they clapped and cheered with excitement as it dropped rubber ducks from high above the field behind the school.
“I wanted to find a fundraiser that would benefit my students but could be enjoyed by the community as well. Thanks to CSCO, the elementary kids were able to pick up a duck after the helicopter dropped them and turn them in at a giant "duck pond store" for a prize,” Crane High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Advisor Morgan Chapman said.
FBLA members sold rubber ducks to friends and family members prior to the duck drop event. People who purchased a duck had their name assigned to a duck. When the ducks were dropped from the helicopter, the duck that landed closest to a huge bullseye on a tarp on the ground won the grand prize.
“The money from the Duck Drop fundraiser goes directly towards the cost of travel to Chicago for our national conference at the end of June,” Chapman explained. “The students raised over $2,000 for their trip. The money went straight to the cost of their travel, many students will only have to purchase their meals on a trip that originally cost over $900 per student.”
Chapman said the duck drop fundraiser will significantly lower the cost of the upcoming trip for the students attending the conference. However, that is not the only reason the students were glad to participate in the fundraiser event.
“I think they were motivated to sell the ducks to lower the cost of their trip, but the icing on the cake was watching the kids' reaction to seeing a helicopter at school,” Chapman said.
Chapman said it was great to see the community support the students by purchasing ducks. She said it is important for students to recognize that many people care for them and want to encourage them throughout their high school journeys and beyond.
“I want my students to graduate and be successful but remember the sacrifices and genuine kindness the Crane Community provided to them. It's a great life lesson and I hope they circle back and can provide the same support to future students. The Crane Community helped build me which is why I want to help build future FBLA members. Support shows students that they matter!” Chapman said.
Aside from the people who purchased ducks, Chapman said other people and organizations helped make this event possible.
“CSCO donated all the duck pond prizes, a local family donated the cost of the helicopter and Branson Helicopter Tours were excellent to work with. They were pros, doing several events like this in the area including easter egg drops, golf ball drops and rubber ducks!” Chapman said.
Anyone who would like to support the FBLA students on their trip to Chicago can contact Crane High School.