A couple of Norwich groups have gotten creative with their latest fundraisers. Think pink flamingos and yellow rubber ducks.

I bought a duck for $10 for the Sunrise Rotary's first duck race fundraiser in the Yantic River Saturday. My duck, along with 2,999 others, will be thrown into the rapidly flowing river at Firemen's Field at the Yantic Fire Engine Co. No. 1. during an afternoon festival.

My duck will be one of the small plain-looking yellow racers. In a clever twist to what has become a common fundraiser, Sunrise Rotary sold more than 30 larger corporate ducks and invited their "owners" to decorate them in a Best Dressed Duck contest. The bigger ducks race first at 2 p.m., followed by the little ducks at 3 p.m.

The festival includes children's games, activities, games, a barbecue and demonstrations of the Yantic fire department's dive rescue equipment. I hope they don't have to rescue my duck. Later that evening, Yantic firefighters will put away the rescue gear and don barbecue aprons for the always popular chicken barbecue.

Now onto flamingos. Norwich Youth and Family Services came up with this clever fundraiser that's sure to turn heads of people driving through the city. Flocks of flamingos will invade various lawns of willing owners from May 16 through June 24. Enjoy the flamingos for a while and then pay the suggested $30 removal fee to send them to their next destination. You can even suggest that location, as long as THAT homeowner is willing.

Hats off – or quacks of approval – to organizers of these two fundraisers. Sure beats getting a phone call asking for donations. I'll let you know if I win.