Rubber Ducks to Swim for United Way

NORTH WILDWOOD — PNC Bank here suffered a security breach recently when a duck-billed bandit was caught, attempting to steal the bank’s coveted Rubber Ducky Cup, a trophy awarded to PNC last year for selling more rubber duckies than any other local bank.
PNC Teller Supervisor Brandy DeMarzo caught the culprit red-handed as she came out of the vault, and she was able to foil the plot. But the duck-billed bandit took flight and is still at large, according to a release.
The trophy is a great source of pride for PNC bank. They earned it by selling 1,189 ducks for the United Way’s Rubber Ducky Regatta in 2007.
Throughout the summer, local banks support the United Way’s fundraising efforts by promoting the Rubber Ducky Regatta and selling the popular souvenir ducks to their customers. Over the years, a ‘friendly’ competition has arisen among the banks’ employees, who work tirelessly every year to outsell each other. On race day, the bank with the best duck sales wins the coveted golden duck award.
But as the Aug. 10 date of Rubber Ducky Regatta approaches, the competition is heating up for the trophy, and ducks are flying off the shelves. Crest Savings Bank is hot pursuit of PNC’s title, and DeMarzo believes that the duckbilled bandit might have been a desperate Crest Savings employee.
“She was dressed nicely,” DeMarzo said. “Like a bank employee…I couldn’t identify her because of her yellow ducky mask, but I have my suspicions about who it is.”
Crest Savings Marketing Officer, Christine Mattera, who was suspiciously onsite at PNC Bank on the day of the attempted burglary, was coy about giving details on her bank’s sales.
“At first we were struggling, but I found some new hot spots,” she said, eyeing up the trophy. “It’s all about the United Way anyway. It’s all in fun.”
DeMarzo agreed that the competition is really all about the work United Way does in the community. “But we aren’t giving up the cup,” she said.
With the Rubber Ducky Regatta fast approaching on Aug. 10, the prize is still literally up for grabs.
Still need a ducky?
Contact one of these local businesses Cape Savings Bank, Crest Savings Bank, PNC Bank, Sun Bank, 1st Bank of Sea Isle.
In Wildwood: B&G Market, Morey’s Piers, Back to Health Chiropractic, Ambiance; In Wildwood Crest: Pan American Hotel, Sandpiper Monogramming; In Seaville, Miracles Fitness.
In Cape May: Blue Moon Pizza
Other sellers: United Way corporate sponsors Action Supply, Boulevard Liquor Store, Cape Savings Bank, Comcast, Atlantic City Electric, Crest Savings Bank, DQ of Wildwood, Dr. Paolini, Harbour Cove Marina, J. Byrne Agency, McDonald’s, Morey’s Piers, PNC Bank, State Farm Insurance, Sturdy Savings, Super Fresh, and UPS.