Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
A tradition built on compassion and community will continue this fall as the Millbrook Civitan Club takes the reins of the Shana Faulkner Memorial Duck Race, ensuring a fundraiser that has touched countless lives will carry on for years to come.
For the past several years, the West Elmore County Lion’s Club hosted the annual duck race in honor of Shana Faulkner, whose love for the Millbrook community and passion for helping others inspired the event. Following the recent disbanding of the Lion’s Club, members passed the symbolic “duck baton” to the Millbrook Civitans, who unanimously approved continuing the fundraiser during their July monthly meeting.
The transition marks more than a change in organizers. It represents one local service organization entrusting another to continue a tradition of giving back to the community.
Since the duck race began in 2022, it has raised money to support organizations serving residents throughout the area. For Art Faulkner, Shana’s husband, seeing the fundraiser continue is both emotional and meaningful.
“I’m very appreciative that the Civitan Club has decided to continue the duck race since the Lion’s Club is not going to be able to do it,” Faulkner said. “It is something that was very special to Shana. She really did enjoy being able to have the duck race and to be able to help fund projects here in our community.”
The first Shana Faulkner Memorial Duck Race was held in 2022. After Shana passed away in 2023, the event became an even greater tribute to the impact she made on those around her.
“Just continuing to do it is really something special to me,” Faulkner said. “Knowing that it’s something that will continue to serve our community and continue to honor her memory.”
Millbrook Civitan member and city council president Michael Gay said the club is honored to continue an event that has become a favorite annual tradition for many families.
“We’re excited about carrying on this tradition,” Gay said. “It has become a fun tradition for everyone in the community to enjoy every year, and we look forward to continuing this fundraiser and the opportunity to keep doing community service work that benefits the community.”
This year’s Shana Faulkner Memorial Duck Race is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10, at Village Green in Millbrook. Volunteers will begin setting up at 4 p.m., with duck sales continuing until the 5:30 p.m. race.
For a minimum $10 donation, participants can purchase a uniquely numbered rubber duck for a chance to win cash prizes. Private businesses, civic organizations and community sponsors are also invited to support the fundraiser, with sponsor recognition displayed on promotional materials and at the event.
At 5:30 p.m., hundreds of rubber ducks will be released into the creek, racing toward the finish line before winners are announced during Millbrook’s Concert on the Green, which begins at 6 p.m.
For Faulkner, however, the day’s greatest reward has never been watching ducks cross the finish line. It has been seeing neighbors come together to support one another in the same spirit that Shana lived every day.
“I am very appreciative of the Civitan Club and to all of those that will continue to be sponsors of it and will continue to buy the ducks,” Faulkner said.
As one chapter closes and another begins, the Millbrook Civitans hope the Shana Faulkner Memorial Duck Race will continue bringing the community together, supporting local organizations and honoring a woman whose legacy of kindness continues to make a difference long after the race is over.
