Kevin attaches his ducks to his kayak for the 50th annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race.
Anchor Mobile Repair is busy making plans for its second Ducks on a Mission drive. Owner Kevin Stuckey has partnered with several Roanoke Valley businesses to create points where residents can donate toiletry items, which will be distributed as kits to Feeding America Southwest Virginia partner agencies. Collection begins April 1 and lasts through April 10.
Stuckey hopes to provide toiletries to at least 100 people in the area, he said. He’s asking for donations of “6 Essentials,” including shampoo, bars of soap or body wash, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste (non-alcohol only) and a rubber duck. Stuckey is also accepting mouthwash (non-alcohol only), dental floss, shaving cream and hand lotion.
Volunteers will organize the items and pack the 6 Essentials into Duck Packs, which will be distributed by Good Samaritan Christian Soldiers Food Pantry, St. Francis House Food Pantry and ARCH/Trust House. The additional items will be added as needed. The packs will also include a razor donated by Defender Razor.
Instead of toiletries, donors can also contribute cash or gift cards, which will be used to purchase toiletries. If they choose, donors can donate the cost of a Duck Pack, which is $5. But why ducks? Because Stuckey is the Duckman, of course.
Each April, Stuckey returns to his home state of Maine to participate in a kayak race. During the race, his kayak is covered with rubber ducks (see photo below). This year, he’s heading back April 15. Stuckey says he started Ducks on a Mission, which he plans to turn into a full-fledged 501(3)(c) nonprofit, as a way to say thank you to for the blessing God has given him, especially through Anchor Mobile Repair.
In explaining his motivation to hold the Ducks on a Mission collection, Stuckey referenced this passage from Hebrews: “Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are sacrifices that please God.” Hebrews 13:16
Stuckey said the verse reminds him to help those in need by providing the specific help that they need. People have multiple needs and attend to those that are most urgent: food, water and survival, he said. Hygiene becomes out of reach.
“We are lucky to have a hot shower every morning, soap and shampoo waiting for us, and deodorant and body spray to help us smell great, but not everyone has this luxury,” Stuckey said. “Through Ducks on a Mission, we are reminding others to not forget to share with those who do not have the luxuries we do. We need to help others and acknowledge all their needs because they are human like us.”
Drop-off points include:
Salem: HSH Insurance & Safety Services (100 East Main Street, Salem)
Downtown: Chocolatepaper Boutique (308 Market St SE)
NE Roanoke: RockFab Kitchen & Bath (3406 Orange Ave), Top Dawgs Pub & Deli (40 Summers Way)
NW Roanoke: Crossroads Church (4827 Delray St NW)
SW Roanoke: Anchor Mobile Repair at CoLab (1327 Grandin Rd SW), Viva La Cupcake (2123 Crystal Spring Ave)
Roanoke County: Realstar Realtors (3959 Electric Rd)
Vinton: Discount Computer Services (211 E Cleveland Ave, Vinton)
-Submitted by Kevin Stuckey
