13th Annual Rubber Duck Regatta
Mark Your Calendars
On Sunday, September 13, 2009, the 13th Annual Rubber Duck Regatta will be held at Riverfront Park in south Billings from noon to 4:00 p.m. on the north shore of the park. Please watch our website for updated information on the regatta as we move throughout the year. Join us for live music, a kids’ carnival, barbeque, duck races and win fantastic prizes. Admission is free so bring the entire family!!!
The Rubber Duck Regatta is an annual event benefiting the Prevention of Elder Abuse Program. All funding received from the regatta is allocated directly to client services, which includes the investigation of abuse, case management and financial payee services for elders and adults with disabilities. Your support helps many vulnerable elders and disabled adults. SEE YOU ON THE 13th!!!
Third Annual Tour of Tables
The third annual Tour of Tables fundraising event, held on April 4th at the Billings Depot, was again a success due in large part to the generosity of our sponsors, community businesses, and the hard work of many, many volunteers. The Tour of Tables is an event where participants celebrate the table-setting talents of area host/hostesses and corporate teams as well as enjoy the live table auction, fine entertainment and a meal catered by Beyond Basil.
The event is a fundraiser for Big Sky Senior Service’s three programs: Senior Helping Hands, Prevention of Elder Abuse and the Friends’ Volunteer Program. While the three programs offer different services, the overall mission of the agency is to help seniors and disabled adults maintain their independence and have the best possible quality of life, regardless of their ability to pay. The money raised goes directly to client services.
Special recognition goes to the following for their hard work in creating the following show tables:
The Best of Show Table was awarded to Montana Health Federal Credit Union with their creation, the “Noel” table. Second place went to Mental Health Center, P.A.T.H. Program with their “Salute to Homeless Veterans” table, and Third place was a tie between High Plains Psychiatric Associates, P.C., with their table “Peeps on Parade,” and Stockman Bank’s “Beach Party” table.
Congratulations to all the teams!!!
There are many people to thank for the success of the event. Volunteers were available prior to, during and for post event activities. Those volunteers are listed below, along with a list of businesses that contributed prizes for the silent auction, and those teams that hosted and decorated tables for auction.
To begin, we express our gratitude to our major sponsors:
- Diamond B. Companies, Inc.
- Tiny’s Tavern
- Crowley Fleck Law Firm
- Big Sky Exchange Club
- Area II Agency on Aging
We applaud and thank the following volunteers:
Ron & Olga May, Roger Hecker, and Gloria Lueck of Central Christian Church; Becky Stanek; Karen Erdie, Area II Agency on Aging; Robin Grinsteiner; Denise & Jeff Armstrong; Jo Lamey; Libby Laird; Donna Hernandez; Lisa Haefke; Fran Lane; Cathy Coe; Margie Nelson; Sandy Gillitzer; Tammy Spaulding; Lenny Spaulding; Carl Eby; L’Oreal Bouchee; Nikki Nielsen; Jan Smith; and Darlene Nicholsen.
Auctioneer Don Shaules again volunteered his skills and auctioned decorated tables after the luncheon, and a fine job he did!
Much gratitude to silent auction contributors:
Gainans, Sanctuary Spa & Salon, Billings Hardware, Montana Jacks, Mustard Seed, Rio Grand Casino, George Henry’s, Inspire Hair Salon, Jo Lamey, Becky Stanek, Robin Grinsteiner, Denise & Jeff Armstrong, Christiane Sikora, Le Boutique, Marina Edgerton, Nell & Carl Eby, Windmill, Boothill Inn, Dianne Lehm, Brenda and Larry Wigger, and Karen Erdie.
Auction tables were created by: Bonaventure of Billings, Montana Health Federal Credit Union; Stockman Bank, Jomama, Crowne Plaza, Mental Health Center P.A.T.H., ZooMontana, and Big Sky Senior Services.
Hostess tables included: Rocky Mountain Hospice, Stockman Bank, Jomama, Preceptor Tau, High Plains Psychiatric Associates, P.C., and Cooper Creative.
Cheryl Wing of Party Solutions not only donated decorated tables for luncheon attendees; she also willingly filled in last minute needs. Our hats off to you Cheryl!
Keynote speaker/entertainer for the event was John Baber, retired Billings Public Schools Music teacher. John served 41 years in the classroom and is still working with the music department at Central High School. John directs the Billings Community Orchestra and the Al Bedoo Shrine Chanters Chorus, who won national championship in 2007. John, the primary caregiver of his 1,209 months (100-year) old mother, entertained the crowd with "Here is what Care Giving Sounds Like In song."
Again, thank you everyone for pitching in and helping where help was needed!!!
Watch our website for plans for upcoming fundraising events.
2009 St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl
The 2009 St. Patrick's Day fund raiser started off with the sound of Bagpipes at the Yellowstone Valley Brewing Company in downtown Billings. The Big Sky Senior Services staff was kept busy selling green to the patrons attending the first stop of the annual Caledonian Pub Crawl.While our sponsor, Matt & Jeff's Catering helped soothe Irish appetites with traditional Butte Pasties and a few other savory Irish dishes. It was a good night to be Irish!
2009 St. Patrick's Day Parade
Irish eyes where smiling on March 14,2009 at the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Street Fair. The weather was warm and sunny and people were out by the thousands. The parade was bigger and better than ever with over 70 floats and walking groups. The street fair was kept entertained though out the day by nonstop music from the stage. There was plenty of food at the street fair this year with Matt & Jeffs Catering serving up Butte Pasties and Irish Stew just to name a few things. Mountain Mudd helped keep us warm in the cool morning hours by brewing up hot drinks. The Pepsi Wheel, a new addition to the street fair spun for miles and added lots of smiles to the winners. A big thank you to our volunteers running that booth!! The Billings Drag Racer Association was a major contributor to both the parade and the street fair, it was great to have them there showing off their rides. Another new idea this year, a big ticket item raffle. Vann's generously donated an Infinity 5 speaker surround sound home theater/audio system. If you are interested in having a booth or a parade entry for next year's event please contact Becky or Nell at 406/259-3111. More information will be added to this site closer to the day of the event. A big thank you to all of our sponsors and participants who helped make the day a wonderful event.
Thanks to the Sponsors of the 2009 St. Patricks Day Parade
Big Sky Senior Services thanks our sponsors for their help producing the 2009 St. Patrics Day Parade.
Thanks to the Sponsors of the 2008 Rubber Duck Regatta
Big Sky Senior Services thanks our sponsors for their help producing the 2008 Rubber Duck Regatta.
Adopt a Flock of Ducks - You Could Win a Prize!
Flocks of rubber ducks are ready to race for exciting prizes at the Rubber Duck Regatta on September 9th. Get in on the action by adopting a flock or more of ducks - if your duck wins a race, you win a prize!
Plan to join us at the 11th Annual Rubber Duck Regatta for an afternoon of family games, goodies and live entertainment. This year's Regatta takes place on Sunday, September 9th from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Riverfront Park in south Billings (map). (You need not be present at the Regatta to win a prize - but we hope to see you there!)
You can adopt one duck for $5 or a flock of six ducks for $25. Ducks can be adopted by mail or online. You can adopt any number of ducks by mail, but only flocks of six can be adopted online.
To adopt individual ducks or a flock by mail, please send a check for the correct amount and write "Rubber Ducks" on the memo line. Mail your check to:
Big Sky Senior Services
3310 Second Ave. N.
Billings, MT 59101
Click here to view the list of 2006 Regatta Prizes.
Click here to adopt one or more flocks of ducks securely online.
If you have any questions about duck adoptions or the 2007 Regatta, please call the Big Sky Senior Services office at 259-3111.
Day of Caring Helps BSSS Programs and Clients
Volunteers from Conoco Phillips refinery and Montana Dakota Utilities made Big Sky Prevention of Elder Abuse (BSPEA) more accessible to people using wheelchairs and helped our clients ready their homes and yards for winter at the Day of Caring on September 15th.
In one afternoon, volunteers from Conoco Phillips completed an 8-foot wheelchair ramp extension at the BSPEA office. They removed broken concrete and constructed the new section from scratch. Wheelchair users can now easily get from their cars to our office.
"These talented volunteers did an amazing job constructing the ramp in a short time," said Christiane Sikora, Executive Director of Big Sky Senior Services (BSSS).
Other volunteers helped elderly and disabled BSSS clients prepare their yards and homes for winter. Five crews of volunteers performed a variety of home maintenance chores such as painting, window washing, garden cleanup and brush removal. This help is invaluable for our senior and disabled clients who have limited mobility and who want to continue living in their homes.
A third group of volunteers prepared and painted office space at Big Sky Senior Services. They started a day early, prepping the walls for painting. Thanks to the many volunteers generously donated their time to improve our offices and our clients' homes.
