One morning this summer before the gates open for the day, a flock of rubber duckies will set sail on Silverwood Theme Park's Lazy River at Boulder Beach.

Each duck in the 2025 Duck Derby will represent a gift donated to support the work the Coeur Group does to help local schools and improve the lives of community members and students in need.

This includes the Coeur Group Locker Program, through which members have installed lockers in 31 schools in the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Lakeland Joint school districts with assistance from local business sponsors and supporters.

“The purpose is to provide items like clothing, toiletries, shoes, coats, hats and gloves for students whose families can’t afford those things," Coeur Group President Josh Sattler said Tuesday. "Students can come to those lockers any time during the school day and they can take what they need from those lockers for free."

The lockers are monitored by teachers, counselors and principals who ensure students are connected with the appropriate resources. Funds raised through the Duck Derby go back to the schools to help keep those lockers stocked.

"The derby is our one and only fundraiser," said James Perkinson, Coeur Group membership growth specialist.

Since 2004, the Coeur Group has been finding ways to give back, especially when hammers, nails and man hours are required.

"What separates the Coeur Group from the other ones is we’re really built on our sweat equity," Perkinson said, "building the Ramsey Greenhouse, the lockers, we built some of Canopy Village's sensory park. Last Saturday we were parking cars at Car d'Lane."

Whatever volunteer opportunities are available, the Coeur Group wants to help.

"That’s what it is, a bunch of guys who want to give back to the community — not always write checks," Perkinson said.

He said the Coeur Group is seeking new members.

"The more hands we have volunteering, the more projects, the more community impact," he said.

This is about the ninth year for the Duck Derby. The Coeur Group wrote a check for $36,422.52 after last year's event, including funds from duck purchases and gifts from generous donors.

"Lola Hagadone has been a big donor of ours for that program over the past few years," Sattler said.

He said the group aims for a more successful derby each year. To date, the Duck Derby has raised over $150,000.

"Generally, we give each school between $1,000 and $1,200," Sattler said, adding that with 31 Locker Programs to maintain, it would be ideal to raise between $35,000 and $40,000 this year.

Ducks are on sale at thecoeurgroup.com: $10 for one, $50 for six ducks or $100 for 13 ducks. The first-place winner will receive $1,000, second place will receive $500 and third place will receive $250. Those whose ducks come in fourth through 15th place will win Silverwood day passes that will be good for any day during the 2025 season. As of Tuesday afternoon, $1,940 had been raised through 22 contributions.

The ducks will race July 17.

"There's a ton of great community support," Perkinson said. "It's just one of the things that’s great about our area."

Visit thecoeurgroup.com for info about the group and Duck Derby details.

    Rubber ducks sail down the Lazy River at Silverwood during the Coeur Group's 2022 Duck Derby. Ducks are now on sale to support the nonprofit in its mission to give back to the community, especially students in need.
  

Coeur Group members build lockers at Garwood Elementary in 2023. From left: Matt Anderson, Shane Greenfield, Josh Sattler, Ryan Bones and James Perkinson.