You don’t have to live on Sesame Street for your rubber ducky to be “the one,” as Ernie would say.

With Northwest Colorado Health’s second annual Rubber Ducky Race approaching, all you have to do is pay $10 to enter the race and your lucky ducky may win you a cash prize up to $500.

Even if you don’t walk away with a fatter wallet, all participants are winners by helping raise money for hospice care in Northwest Colorado.

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Northwest Colorado Health’s Marketing Coordinator Tamera Manzanares said all of the money raised from the event would go to support the hospice services her organization provides in Routt and Moffat counties.

“Hospice is basically end of life care,” Manzanares said, noting the extent of such a task.

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Comforting individuals and families dealing with such a somber stage of life can get expensive, but Northwest Colorado Health never denies service for financial reasons.

The money collected from the Rubber Ducky Race helps the organization continue to provide valuable hospice services.

“Hospice reaches people of all ages and areas of the Yampa Valley,” Northwest Colorado Health CEO Lisa Brown wrote in an email. “Our staff and dedicated volunteers care for patients nearing end-of-life and support those close to them. The Rubber Ducky Race is a celebration of family and community and really aligns with the spirit of what we do.”

The race takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturday and the starting line is Ranney Street Bridge. The finish line is at Loudy-Simpson Park, where a post-race party will take place.

Manzaneras said there is a total of $1,000 in cash prizes with a grand prize of $500.

Racing ducks can be purchased online on Northwest Colorado Health’s website, at City Market or at the starting line on race day. Each entry is $10 and participants will be given a number that coordinates to their duck.

Just like last year, Craig/Fire Rescue will be dumping the ducks in the river to start the race.

“The money goes to a good cause and we’re willing to help out with it,” Craig Fire/Rescue Battalion Chief Troy Hampton said.

Northwest Colorado Health is the only organization providing hospice care in the area and the community’s support is crucial, Manzaneras said.

“Hospice touches a lot of people in the community because we help patients but we’re also there for the families as well as friends,” she said. “These events really help us to ensure that we can be there for everyone that needs us.”

Northwest Colorado Health will also hold a Rubber Ducky Race in Steamboat Springs on Sept. 10.

To buy a duck aand enter the race, visit northwestcoloradohealth.org/rubberducky or stop in at Northwest Colorado Health, 745 Russell St. If you’d like to volunteer at the race, call Mindy Marriott at 970-871-7609.

Contact Patrick Kelly at 970-875-1795 or Contact Patrick Kelly at 970-875-1795 or pkelly@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @M_PKelly.Contact Patrick Kelly at 970-875-1795 or pkelly@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @M_PKelly.