Tag Archive for: #franklingranvillevancesmartstart

Ducky Derby

TownTalk: Ducky Derby Is September 21st

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Head to downtown Henderson on Saturday, Sept. 21 to watch the annual “release” of ducks down Garnett Street.

It’s the 15 annual Ducky Derby to benefit the Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start, and Kimiko Williams said it’s sure to be an afternoon of fun for all.

This year’s festivities begin at 1 p.m., with activities for the children along the race course, – which will become a watery route for when the ducks are spit out the back of the cement mixer to make their way to the finish line.

The ceremonial cement mixer will churn the rubber ducks out onto the street promptly at 2 p.m. at Breckenridge Street – the finish line is a couple of blocks away, near Montgomeryt Street, Williams explained on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

Purchase tickets to sponsor a duck – the first duck to cross the finish line wins $1,000. Second place is Chick fil A for a year, third place is a $250 Sheetz gas card and the last rubber duck to cross the finish line gets $100.

In addition, FGV Smart Start will have a raffle for the cost of a month’s child care.

Organizers say they hope to raise $15,000 this year. Most of the money comes from ticket purchases, but there are community sponsors and in-kind supporters that help add to the bottom line, said Linda Frederickson, FGV Early Childhood Systems director.

And while families must qualify for some of the programs the early childhood agency offers, Frederickson said the Family Resource Centers are available for anyone who wants to learn more.

One resource center is located at the FGV office in Henderson; a second is located on the campus of the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford; and a third is located at Franklinton Elementary School.

“The big spotlight is on the children,” Frederickson said, not just on Derby Day but all year long.

Purchase tickets online at www.fgvsmartstart.org, or from any FGV staff member.

CLICK PLAY!

 

Annual Ducky Derby Race in Downtown Canceled; Drawing to be Held at FGV Office

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-Information courtesy, Garry Daeke, Development Coordinator, Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start, Inc.

The Ducky Derby race, scheduled for this Saturday, September 15, 2018, has been canceled due to anticipated inclement weather. A drawing for prizes will be held Friday, September 21 at noon at the FGV Partnership office. The public is invited to attend.

The drawing will be videoed and played for the public on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/fgvsmartstart.org/. Winners of prizes will be notified by phone numbers from their ticket stubs.

Tickets will continue to be on sale until Thursday, September 20 until noon. Call 252-433-9110, extension 227 if you have questions. Thank you to everyone who has supported our 9th Annual Ducky Derby race.

Rubber Ducks Set to Race Down Garnett St. in 9th Annual Ducky Derby

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Garry Daeke, development coordinator for Franklin-Granville-Vance (FGV) Smart Start, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the organization’s 9th Annual Ducky Derby Fundraiser.

This race of up to 2,500 rubber ducks will be held in downtown Henderson on Saturday, September 15, 2018. Rubber ducks will begin the race at the corner of Breckenridge and Garnett Street and will race two blocks to Orange Street. “We will open up the fire hydrants, run water and close off some side streets,” Daeke said.

Top prizes of $1000, $500 and $250 will be awarded for a first through third place finish. The last duck to cross the finish line will be awarded $100. Participants do not need to be present for the race to win a prize.

A drawing will also be held at the end of the race for 52 free meals from Chick-fil-A. You must be present to win this drawing.

Tickets for ducks are on sale now and are available for purchase from any F-G-V staff or board member. Ducks will also be available for purchase the day of the event from 10 a.m. until the race begins at 2 p.m.

Ducky options include $5 for a single duck, a “quack pack” of six ducks for $25 or a “flock” of 25 ducks for $100.

To ensure all enter the race in a timely fashion, Greystone Concrete Products of Henderson will pour purchased ducks along with approximately 500 – 1,000 additional gallons of water from their cement truck onto Garnett St.

According to Daeke, hearing the children’s excited reactions to the ducks being poured each year is part of the fun.

Daeke also acknowledged the important role sponsors play in the success of the annual fundraiser. “Most of these sponsors have been with us from the beginning or through the long-term and we want to thank them,” said Daeke. “Their support helps us to get this up and running so that it’s a successful fundraiser for us and our children, who are the benefactors.”

This year’s sponsors include:

Super Ducks – Duke Energy, Fred’s Towing & Transport, Union Bank and Mako Medical Laboratories

Top Ducks – NC Pediatrics, Chick-fil-A and University Dental Associates – Dr. Charles Burnham

Feathered Friends – Rogers Group, McDonalds, Sugar & Spice Preschool, Scotts Trucking Company and Wester Insurance Agency

Quacker Backers – WIZS Radio, Greystone Concrete Products, City of Henderson and Dataforge

All proceeds from the Ducky Derby are used to fund Smart Start programs.

Those interested in purchasing tickets, volunteering at the event or with questions may contact the F-G-V Smart Start office at (252) 433-9110 or visit the NC Smart Start website at www.ncsmartstart.org.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Little Free Libraries Pop Up Around Henderson

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by Garry Daeke

FGV Smart Start has started the Little Free Library program as a way to promotion reading for children, literacy for adults and libraries around the community. 

It’s a “take a book, return a book” gathering place where people share their favorite literature and stories. In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share.

Vance County United Way, through its United We Read, United We Succeed program, granted funds to Smart Start to start this effort. Smart Start will set up four of these libraries in the community.  Smart Start has ample supplies of  children’s books for the libraries, and  local citizens, along with the Friends of the Perry Library, will be assisting with book drives and collections to assist with additional books.

The mission is to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges, and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations.

FGV Smart Start Announces New Executive Director

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FGV Smart Start, Inc., has announced that Dr. Tony Cozart will be the new executive director.

Dr. Cozart is a retired educator, with over 32 years in the local public school systems. He began his career as a teacher and assistant principal in Vance County, then served in Warren County as principal at Norlina Middle, South Warren Elementary and Warren County High schools, among other administrative positions. He is the pastor of Cooks Chapel Baptist Church in Warrenton, and also serves on the Granville County Board of Commissioners.

Cozart is married to the former Jacqueline Peace. They have three daughters: Kimberly, Kristal, and Karmen. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Saint Paul’s College, Master of Arts in School Administration from North Carolina Central University, and Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Cozart has been the Kindergarten Readiness coordinator at FGV Smart Start the last two years. He began his duties as the executive director on November 16.