Charity ducks get star power

Angelique Flores

Celebrity ducks are waddling in for the big auction.

Little, yellow rubber duckies signed by celebrities will be auctioned as

part of a fund-raiser to benefit the Huntington Beach Community Clinic.

The celebrity ducks are a new feature of the eighth annual Duck-A-Thon,

sponsored by the Huntington Beach Community Clinic Support Group.

The event, which will be held over two days this year, is scheduled for

May 20 and May 21. The kickoff will be the online auction of about 30

ducks with signatures from stars including Steve Martin, Sophia Loren,

Bob Hope, Britney Spears and ‘N Sync. The auction will be held in early

May through https://o7 www.duck-a-thon.orgf7 . Some celebrities also

donated signed photographs, scripts and other memorabilia.

Activities for the Duck-A-Thon weekend include the Wacky Waddle Welay, an

arts and crafts festival and children’s booths. Surf bands -- including

The Fabulous Nomads, Surf Kings and Dead Men Don’t Surf -- will perform

on the second day.

But, the main event will be the ducks. The Huntington Beach Pier will be

the site for the duck races between local mayors, corporate businesses

and a general race for the public.

“It will be a fun, family time,” said Donna Cross, president of the

support group.

Last year, 27,000 ducks were launched, and $75,000 was raised for the

clinic. This year, Cross hopes to bring in more ducks and more funding

for the clinic.

“All of it goes toward medical treatment,” Cross said. “There are so many

people who need this medical help.”

The support group has helped the clinic buy baby scales, thermometers and

supplies, and build extra rooms for the clinic.

“It has been absolutely great for the clinic to have the support from so

many who are invested in what we do,” said Jackie Cherewick, the clinic’s

chief executive.

Registration for the Wacky Waddle Welay is $100 per team. Each team needs

five members. Ducks for the big duck race are $10.

For more information or to sign up for any of the events, call 374-1951.