What can 90,000 rubber ducks tell us about community, competition, and making a difference?

This week on The Ebone Zone, we take a closer look at Chicago’s annual Ducky Derby, where a river full of rubber ducks becomes an extraordinary fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois. The spectacle is playful, colorful, and undeniably unusual—but underneath the yellow sea of ducks is a story about creating opportunities for athletes with disabilities and bringing an entire community together around inclusion.

The 2026 derby sent more than 90,000 ducks floating down the Chicago River, with the event raising more than $480,000. Even a $10 “lone duck” can help provide an athlete’s lunch at a competition, while a $30 “quack pack” can help supply gold medals for a team.

Listen to this week’s episode for a perspective on why this quirky Chicago tradition is about much more than rubber ducks racing down a river.

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