OCCOQUAN, VA — June 5, 2024. Occoquan’s Annual Duck Splash splashed down for its 16th year over the weekend. A cheering crowd of hopefuls filled most of the town’s boardwalk and pier to watch nearly one thousand yellow rubber ducks plummet from the Route 123 bridge into the Occoquan River. The ducks raced on the wind upriver toward town, each bearing a unique number. The first ten ducks to cross the finish line won prizes totaling $1,000 for their lucky ticket holders.
Duck Splash is a charity fundraiser held by the Town of Occoquan each year to support Patriots for Disabled Divers (PFDD). Though historically held in August, this year’s Duck Splash moved to coincide with Riverfest, one of the town’s largest reoccurring events. The goal was to encourage greater participation in this popular local event and raise more funds to support the non-profit. The turnout did not disappoint. Ticket sales nearly tripled over last year and grossed $4,840 to help injured veterans, making this a record year for Duck Splash.
When asked about the event’s success, PFDD Fundraising Chair Merial Currer said, “We’re overjoyed by the turnout. Duck Splash has long had a cult following in Occoquan, but this year, it really exploded. The funds raised by the ticket sales will go a long way toward getting injured veterans the support they need.” Occoquan’s Mayor Earnie Porta echoed Mrs. Currer’s enthusiasm and committed to link Duck Splash and Riverfest in 2025 as well.
Patriots for Disabled Divers is an Occoquan-based 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to bringing the therapeutic benefits of scuba diving to injured veterans. Founded in 2013 by CAPT Jeffrey Currer (USN ret.) and his wife of 39 years, Merial Currer, the organization uses scuba diving to provide physical, mental health, and social support for qualifying veterans. These techniques have gained increased recognition since 2011, when Johns Hopkins University published a study reporting the benefits of scuba diving on veterans with spinal cord injuries. Earlier this year, PFDD received a $30,000 grant to further study the mental health benefits of scuba diving for veterans.
As part of their joint commitment to conservation, the Town of Occoquan and PFDD collaborated to ensure that all the rubber ducks used by the event were recovered from the river. This ensures the event’s sustainability and eliminates its impact on this important ecosystem.
For further information contact:
Merial Currer
Fundraising Chair, PFDD