More than $88,000 was handed out to 34 youth groups at the Rotary Duck Race appreciation dinner held at The ACT on Wednesday night.

Emcee and Rotarian Fred Armstrong kept the room of about a 100 laughing with a few funny stories, including the one when at the planning stages of the inaugural duck race someone asked how the Rotary would be able to feed 10,000 ducks.

Thirteen-year-old Austin Garcia, a Grade 9 student at Maple Ridge Secondary, was given special recognition for donning the duck suit several times, including during a parade.

"It was one of the funnest things I've ever done. I will definitely do it again," said the eager volunteer.

He was signed up by his mother the first year, and couldn't wait to do it again for the second year, said Mom, Brenda Garcia.

"He has caught the charity bug," she added.

Alana Wadhwani of Golden Ears Athletics, who won the second-place prize at the duck race, donated the cruise back to the cause and it was auctioned off during the event for $1,800.

The amounts awarded to each group from the Haney and Meadowridge Rotaries were based on duck race ticket sales and ranged from $160 to $10,500.

. A full list of recipients is at www.mrtimes.com

smclaren@mrtimes.com