LANCASTER, Pa. — Nearly 100 years ago, a healthcare provider made a promise to herself: to never turn away a child in need, regardless of their family's ability to pay.
Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development has stuck to this vision its founder Edna Schreiber created. The 36th Annual Rubber Duckie Race & Festival is a fundraiser that will take place this weekend designed to support the Kids’ Care Fund, which helps underwrite the cost of uncompensated care.
"We are--outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh--the largest provider of outpatient rehab services, rehabilitation services, for children," James W. DeBord, president of Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, said. "So physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, rec programming, preschool, childcare programs for children with special needs and disabilities."
Organizers say the practice loses about $74 per hour of therapy it provides, totaling about $2.5 million annually in uncompensated care.
The community can help support children in need by registering to race in the one-mile Duckie Dash, Relay Race or 100-meter Duckling Dash. Those who wish to show their support but are unable to attend the festival can adopt a rubber duckie to contribute to the fundraiser. Adopting a duckie also comes with the chance to win prizes, including a grand prize of $2,500.
"These are children not only born with what are called congenital disabilities--so the children born with spina bifida and Down syndrome and muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy," DeBord said. "But we see scores of children every year who have acquired disabilities, who are victims of child abuse, accidents, other things that impact their lives that cause these disabilities. And Schreiber's goal is to take these children and be able make them the best, most independent people they can be, so that they can grow to be independent adults in the community."
This year's festival will take place at the Schreiber Center to allow more guests who use mobility devices and have sensory challenges to enjoy the festivities, organizers said. Attendees can participate in races, festival games, arts and crafts, pony rides, a sensory friendly indoor space and local food trucks.
The event is free to attend. It will be held from 2 - 5 p.m on Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Schreiber Center, located at 625 Community Way in Lancaster. Individual tickets will be available to purchase for the games, or guests can buy a wristband for unlimited game play.