LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (May 9, 2024) – Neal Communities’ headquarters in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, had an unusual visitor recently. Quacky, the bright yellow ducky mascot of Pace Center for Girls, stopped by to encourage Neal Communities employees to get their ducks in a row for this year’s 15th Annual Lucky Ducky Race for Pace.
Quacky has been making stops all over Manatee County, encouraging everyone she meets to adopt “ducklings” for the race, which will take place Saturday, May 11, 2024, and begins at Caddy’s Bradenton. More than 30,000 rubber ducks will race along the Manatee River for prizes which include a two-year lease on a Jeep (or $5,000 cash) sponsored by Firkins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, weekly dinner for two at Anna Maria Oyster Bar for a full year (some restrictions apply), an outfit a month for a full year from the Teal Turtle Boutique, and more.
The event benefits Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County, a year-round school that provides girls and young women with an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy.
For the ninth consecutive year, Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, will partner with Pace Center for Girls as a sponsor. Neal Communities’ $10,000 donation assists Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County with its program and necessities, including uniforms, transportation, supplies and more. In addition to the donation from Neal Communities, employees of the homebuilder also support the cause by adopting rubber ducks and raising even more funds to help the Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County. Last year, employee-raised funds added an additional $1,700.
Jennifer Villarreal, accounting manager for Neal Communities, coordinates the company’s involvement with the event. “It’s an honor to be part of a company that builds beautiful neighborhoods and also supports the growth and wellbeing of our local communities,” said Villarreal. “The Pace Duck Race is an adorable event and #TeamNeal has shown their support with a record number of duck adoptions – over 500 and counting! Every dollar raised through duck adoptions goes towards changing the lives of girls in Manatee County.”
Duckies are still available for adoption at www.duckrace.com/Manatee. To adopt as part of the Neal Communities team, visit www.duckrace.com/manatee/teams/4712. You don’t have to be present to win, but thousands of duckies floating down the river is a sight not to be missed. In fact, some of the duckies are quite fancy, as there is also a Best Dressed Duck competition. Neal Communities’ submission for Best Dressed Duck took home an award for 2nd Runner Up. It features Captain Quacky piloting Manatee County’s new Gulf Island Ferry.
All this fun is for a good cause. Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County integrates social services and education in an individualized manner, and it is recognized nationally as one of the most effective programs in the country for keeping adolescent girls out of the juvenile justice system. The organization uses a strengths-based approach that harnesses the unique potential of each girl with a focus on future outcomes. Pace Manatee has worked with more than 1,500 girls over the years and is one of Pace Center’s almost two dozen Florida locations.
Neal Communities, based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, is Southwest Florida’s largest and most established locally owned and operated private builder. The company has built more than 21,000 new homes in more than 90 acclaimed communities from Tampa to Naples. With a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $8 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build.
For more information about Pace Center for Girls Manatee, visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/manatee. For more information about the Lucky Ducky Race for Pace, visit www.DuckRace.com/Manatee.
