Hundreds of rubber ducks will float down the Muskingum River in pursuit of a cause Wednesday.

Disability Rights Ohio will hold its third annual Duck Derby fundraiser along with sponsor One Point of Care, a Columbus-based client support firm.

“(OPOC) sponsored us last year,” Disability Rights Ohio Executive Director Kerstin Sjoberg said. “They have a committee that decides how the company wants to give back. We submitted a request and they agreed.”

Rubber ducks are launched from Marietta High School crew boats and drift down to the Putnam Street Bridge. The first three ducks will win prizes, according to Sjoberg.

“First place will win $500, second will win $100 cash and a t-shirt, and third will get a tote bag and mug,” she said.

Proceeds will go to Disability Rights Ohio and their mission to provide services and resources for Ohioans with disabilities, Sjoberg said.

“Southeastern Ohio, which includes Marietta, is an area we want to increase awareness of services in,” she said.

Sjoberg said anyone can sponsor a rubber duck for $5.

To sponsor or find more information, the organization’s website is: https://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/duck-derby

The derby was created by Board of Directors President Bill Bauer, a Marietta resident. In 2020, Disability Rights Ohio needed a fundraiser during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bauer had done a similar derby a few years prior for another organization.

“It was totally Bill’s idea,” Sjoberg said. “Bill contacted Tanner (O’Connor, Marietta High School’s crew coach) and they joined. We had a live stream and people could participate virtually.”

She added, “It’s fun to work with excited high school kids and their coach. Also they could go off to college and might need our services in the future. They know who we are now.”