It’s not magic ... ‘We are better together’
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Almost 7,000 ducks seamlessly poured into the water. And then were seamlessly “rescued” and added to the prize tote board by a crackerjack crew. And that followed months of duck ticket sales everywhere, organizing and months of hard work.
More than $28,000 was raised for the Putnam Business Association’s (PBA) community programs and another $11,493 for 32 not-for-profit organizations, according to Pluck-A-Duck Chair Beth Markowski-Roop.
And it wasn’t magic!
In its eighth year, the PBA’s largest fund-raiser is a reflection of generous sponsorships and the hard work of countless, nameless volunteers.
The work involved is tremendous. Markowski-Roop said the PBA Pluck A Duck Committee of 10 dedicated members, worked hard from March through August to coordinate all aspects of this two-day fund-raising event, from the Celebrity Dunk Tank, Wall Of Wishes, NOW & PBA Fun Run, and many Kids Corner activities, as well as the Plucking of Ducks and live broadcasts. And, she said, we are also so appreciative of our 13 local Celebrities, willing to take the plunge in the Celebrity Dunk Tank, sponsored by WIN Waste Innovations. Their efforts helped raised over $1,600 for the Putnam Business Association. The Top 3 Celebrities who raised the most funds from their efforts, had a $100 donation made to their charity of choice, from a grateful PBA: Attorney Kate Cerrone, Northeast Law Center, had a $100 donation made to: Northeast Opportunities For Wellness (NOW); Robert Challinor, VFW Post 1523, had a $100 donation made to: VFW Post 1523; Kelsey Campbell, The Craft Collective Salon, had a $100 donation made to: NECCOG (Animal Services)
Attorney Kate Cerrone, president of the PBA, said: “A strong business community is built on the simple truth that we are better together. Local businesses don’t just operate side-by-side—they support one another, share resources, and celebrate each other’s successes. That spirit of collaboration extends beyond business. Our volunteers—whether serving on committees, planning events, or lending a helping hand—remind us that when people give their time and energy for the good of others, they create a foundation of strength, resilience, and pride that lifts the entire community.”
Deputy Mayor Roy Simmons, at a recent ribbon cutting for a local business, said: “You have a terrific support system in this town. You have one of the most awesome business associations I’ve ever seen.”
The funds go back into the community, through PBA programs. Cerrone added: This year’s Pluck-A-Duck event will help fund events for the community such as Savor the Flavor on Sept. 7 and other upcoming Fall and Winter events, like Particle Accelerator on Sept. 13, the Great Pumpkin Festival and Zombie Fashion Show on Oct. 3 and Small Business Saturday, International Day, Super Hero Saturday, and this year Music on Main (last one is this Friday). And there are philanthropic activities such as the Blood Drive Sept. 9 at the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center,
Markowski-Roop said there were 11 local businesses supporting the PBA by selling duck raffle tickets, and also 32 not-for-profit organizations, including:
Access Emergency Shelter/The Access Community Action Agency, Anchors of Hope, Bags of Hope CT, Brooklyn Schools PTO, Cub Scouts Pack 43, Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse, Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center, NAMI Windham County NWC, Natchaug River Young Marines, Northeastern CT Arts Guild, Northeastern CT Relay For Life, Northeastern Insurance Professionals, Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Nutmeg Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation, Opportunity Works CT Inc./Floral & Gifts of OWC, PAWS Cat Shelter, PCS Class of 2025 / PCS Class of 2025 8th Grade DC Trip, Putnam Arts Council, Putnam Lodge of Elks #574, Putnam Rotary Club, Quiet Corner NEMBA, Quiet Corner Veterans Support Coalition & VFW Post 4908 E Killingly, Quinebaug Valley Senior Center, St. James Parochial School, Saint Joseph’s Living Center, Thames Valley Council for Community Action (Meals-On-Wheels Program), The Arc Eastern Connecticut, The Sunshine Kids Charity, Theatre of Northeastern CT/The Bradley Playhouse, Tourtellotte Memorial High School, United Services, and VFW Auxiliary Post 1523.
She said because of the generosity of sponsors and local businesses there were 125 prizes.
It does indeed take a village. Markowski-Roop said: “We are truly grateful to the 30 sponsors of the two-day event that made this popular fund-raising event possible. Also to Breezeline, Centreville Bank, Christopher Heights of Webster and Day Kimball Health, the generous sponsors of the NOW & PBA Fun Run, held Aug. 10 at the Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center with dozens of participants.
Additionally, there were 48 Corporate Duck sponsors, businesses big and small, excited to compete to be the 2025 winner. The 2025 Corporate Duck winner was the VFW Post 1523 of Putnam.”
Asked why she thought the Pluck-A-Duck was so successful, Markowski-Roop said: “The PBA Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Event has become a beloved and unique event and fund-raising tradition, where every raffle ticket sold makes a difference in our community. The Kids Corner offers FREE family fun, with exhibitors and so many activities for kids of all ages to enjoy, the Wonderful Waddle scavenger hunt, mascot appearances and our NOW & PBA Fun Run. We are so grateful to our many sponsors, generous raffle prize donors, not-for-profit partners and local businesses, Dunk Tank Celebrities and volunteers for helping to make the 2025 PBA Pluck-A-Duck raffle event possible, and such a success!”
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caption, page 5:
Like a fine tuned machine. Volunteers process the ducks as they come out of the water and place the correct numbers on the prize tote board. Linda Lemmon photo.