Charleston Duck Race

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Charleston Duck Race

The Charleston Duck Race, founded by the Rotary Club of Daniel Island in 2007, has raised $3M+ for local and global causes.

Each year, participating clubs support Lowcountry charities focused on health, housing, families, and education. The Rotary Club of Daniel Island and other participating Rotary Clubs in the Charleston area will hold the 16th annual Charity Duck Race on Saturday, June 18, 2022 on Daniel Island. The Charleston Duck Race is an annual fundraising event that supports local nonprofits and service projects coordinated by participating Rotary Clubs. Learn more: https://www.charlestonduckrace.com/

10/11/2026

It’s a fair question, and one a lot of people ask before they decide to adopt a duck.

The Charleston Duck Race may look like a lighthearted local tradition, with thousands of yellow ducks and a lot of cheering, but the money raised has a serious purpose. Since the race began in 2007, it has raised more than $2.5 million for local charities and Rotary service projects around the world. Here in the Lowcountry, Duck Race proceeds have helped support organizations working in areas such as:

• Hunger and nutrition
• Health and wellness
• Housing and shelter
• Children and families
• Education and literacy
• Services for older adults and neighbors facing difficult times

Each participating Rotary club selects one or more local charities as beneficiaries. That means the exact organizations can change from year to year, but the goal stays the same: put money back into the Charleston-area community where it can help people in practical ways. For many of us, it’s nice to know there is more behind the duck you adopt than a chance to win a prize. You’re also helping support food, housing, education, health care, family services, and other work that makes a real difference for local residents.

The Charleston Duck Race is fun, but it is also a practical way to help our neighbors. It reflects Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” turning a small act of participation into support for food, housing, health services, education, and other local needs. Over the years, Duck Race proceeds have touched many lives across the Charleston area and supported Rotary service projects around the world, showing how a simple yellow duck can make a real difference.

10/08/2026

The Rotary Club of Daniel Island is a group of neighbors who believe in Service Above Self. That means we look for practical ways to help, support local needs, and spend time with people who care about this community.

We meet for breakfast every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. It is an early start, but it is also a nice way to begin the day with good conversation, a hot cup of coffee, and a little perspective beyond the usual to-do list.

Not an early-morning person? Could you do lunch with us once a month? We offer a monthly lunch meeting for people who cannot make the weekly breakfast gathering.

If you have been thinking about getting more involved, come visit. Check out our website for more info, and we can’t wait to see you at our next meeting!

https://dirotary.org/

10/05/2026

We Started Something That Has Helped So Many

The Charleston Duck Race began in 2007 with the Rotary Club of Daniel Island. What started as a fun community event built around little yellow ducks has grown into a meaningful way to give back across the Lowcountry.

Since its beginning, the race has raised more than $2.5 million for local charities and Rotary service projects around the world. The charities pictured here represent just some of the organizations that have received support over the years. Their work touches many parts of our community, including hunger, health care, housing, education, children and families, literacy, and services for older adults.

That is the part worth remembering when you see the ducks on race day. Behind the fun are volunteers, Rotary clubs, local sponsors, and people in our community who choose to take part. Together, they have helped direct real support to neighbors who need it.

Our club put Rotary’s “Service Above Self” into action when it launched the Charleston Duck Race nearly two decades ago. These days, many people know us simply as “The Duck Club,” and we wear that name proudly. It represents far more than a fun day on the water. It reflects the many local lives helped through the charities and service projects supported over the years. We are already looking ahead to next year’s race, and everyone is welcome. If you would like to help us make an even bigger splash, we would be glad to have you join us.

10/03/2026

At the Rotary Club of Daniel Island’s September Community Speaker Series, Trident Technical College President Dr. Vicky Wood shared an encouraging message for adults considering a new direction, returning to school, or helping a family member plan for the future.

Dr. Wood brings personal experience to her role. She began at Marion Technical College, earning an associate degree before continuing on to earn bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. As the first person in her family to graduate from college, she understands how accessible education can change lives, careers, and families.

Berkeley County is growing rapidly, creating a demand for trained workers. Dr. Wood emphasized that meeting those needs requires more than focusing on recent high school graduates. Last year, Trident enrolled 20,600 students across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. Its graduates ranged in age from 14 to 69.

Trident offers many paths beyond a traditional two-year college experience, including college courses for high school students, paid apprenticeships, short-term programs for quicker job preparation, retraining after an injury or career change, transfer pathways to four-year colleges, and workforce training for employers including Boeing.

Trident is expanding its Berkeley County campus and hopes to launch its first bachelor’s degree program, culinary arts management, by the end of the year. The college also recognizes that unexpected costs, such as car repairs or family emergencies, can interrupt a student’s education. Through emergency assistance, the Trident Technical College Foundation helps students stay enrolled.

At the close of the program, the Rotary Club of Daniel Island presented a $500 contribution to the Trident Technical College Foundation. For adults, especially those 55 and older, technical college can provide a second-career path, practical skills for a small business, personal enrichment, or simply the confidence that it is never too late to learn. Thank you, Dr. Wood, for an informative presentation and for your work supporting our region’s growing workforce.

10/02/2026

We had a great conversation Wednesday morning with Christine Messick, Executive Director of GiGi’s Playhouse Charleston. Christine shared the story behind her nearly 30 years in nonprofit work and, more importantly, gave us a closer look at the work being done at GiGi’s Playhouse to support individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental differences and their families.

One thing that stood out was how much of Christine’s career has centered on a simple idea: people do better when they have the right resources, strong relationships and a community behind them. She also talked about the many ways families and community members can connect with GiGi’s Playhouse. For those of us who may have known the name but weren’t really sure what happens there, the conversation helped put a much more personal face on the organization and its work.

Christine brought a lot of experience, a genuine connection to the Lowcountry and plenty of practical insight to our meeting. We appreciate her taking the time to spend a portion of the morning with the Rotary Club of Daniel Island and introducing more of us to GiGi’s Playhouse Charleston.

10/01/2026

If you are new to Daniel Island or simply ready to give some time to a good cause, Rotary may be worth a look. Our members come from different backgrounds, but we share a belief that serving others matters. We support local efforts, get involved in projects, and enjoy the friendships that grow from working alongside one another.

The Rotary Club of Daniel Island meets for breakfast each Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. For those who cannot make an early meeting, we also have a monthly lunch option.

Could you do lunch with us once a month? It might be an easy first step.

Check out our website for more info, and we can’t wait to see you at our next meeting!

https://dirotary.org/

09/23/2026

Many people want to give back but aren’t sure how to start. Rotary makes it easy!

At the Rotary Club of Daniel Island, we unite under one simple idea: Service Above Self. We collaborate on projects, support local causes, and build great friendships along the way.

You don’t need tons of free time, special skills, or a big network. If you care about people and want to make a difference, you're already on the right path! We meet every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast. If mornings don’t work for you, join us for lunch once a month instead. It’s another great way to get involved.

Come by, chat with us, and see what we’re up to. Sometimes just one meeting is all you need to find your place to help out.

Check out our website for more info, and we can’t wait to see you at our next meeting!

https://dirotary.org/

08/27/2026

Because of your support, the Charleston Duck Race helps make a meaningful difference for neighbors throughout our community. This all-volunteer Rotary Club of Daniel Island event raises funds that are reinvested in local charities doing important work across the Charleston area.

Today, we are proud to recognize Charleston Habitat for Humanity. Their mission is to help local families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through safe, affordable homeownership. By bringing together families, volunteers, donors, and community partners, Charleston Habitat for Humanity helps create opportunities for people to build a better future and a place to call home.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who supported the Charleston Duck Race. This is where YOUR money goes: back into our community, supporting organizations like Charleston Habitat for Humanity and the life-changing work they do every day.

08/23/2026

A big THANK YOU to everyone who supported the Charleston Duck Race. Because of you, this all-volunteer Rotary Club of Daniel Island event raises vital funds that stay right here in our community, supporting local charities and the people they serve.

Today, we are proud to recognize Girls on the Run Coastal South Carolina.

Girls on the Run inspires girls to recognize their inner strength, build confidence, develop healthy habits, and form meaningful connections with one another. Through fun, evidence-based programs that combine physical activity with lessons in life skills, they help girls in our community grow into strong, joyful, and confident young people.

We are grateful for the important work Girls on the Run does to encourage and empower the next generation.

Thank you again to every duck adopter, sponsor, volunteer, and supporter of the Charleston Duck Race. This is where YOUR money goes, helping outstanding local organizations continue making a real difference throughout the Charleston area.

08/20/2026

Wednesday morning, we were pleased to welcome fellow Rotarian Nicole Stewart as our featured speaker!

Nicole gave an informative and timely presentation on navigating the often-confusing world of health insurance. She helped members think through important questions, such as how deductibles, copays, coverage needs, and personal budgets can affect the best insurance choice for an individual or family.

As a licensed South Carolina insurance agent specializing in health, life, and Medicare insurance solutions, Nicole works with self-employed professionals, small-business owners, and individuals to identify their unique needs and explore coverage options that fit their circumstances.

With healthcare enrollment deadlines approaching in November, Nicole’s presentation was an especially valuable reminder that understanding your choices now can help prevent costly mistakes later.

Thank you, Nicole, for sharing your knowledge with our Rotary family and helping make a complicated topic easier to understand!

Address

PMB 149, 295 Seven Farms Drive, Suite C
Charleston, SC
29492

Website

http://www.CharlestonDuckRace.com/

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