ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Quack if you like fundraising.

The Orange Beach Lions Club will hold its inaugural Rubber Duck Race today at 10 a.m. at Oasis at The Wharf’s lazy river.

For $5 supporters can adopt a ducky, or $25 for a six “quack”, at the event until 9:30 a.m. Gates open at 9 a.m.

More than 1,000 ducks have been training relentlessly, preparing their paddling feet. The owner of the fastest floater will get $500.

Lions Club president Ken Grimes, Jr. said that the club’s plan is to build the fundraiser every year to make it their major event.

The club is the only traditional civic club in Orange Beach and was chartered in 1985 — just a year after the city was incorporated.

“We are always looking for members,” Grimes said. “We are looking for people who want to network and give back to the city.”

With 34 members to date, the club works to help the vision impaired by paying for eye exams and glasses.

“It is a very important niche for us to be able to help people are identified of having financial need and are really at a point in their lives when they need and eye exam. We will pay for that if they are an Orange Beach resident,” he said.

In the 1920s at a national Lions Club meeting, Helen Keller pleaded with the club to take vision on as their philanthropic project.

From there the Lions Club has become “Knights for the Blind”, according to Lions Club International spokesperson Dane LaJoye.

“On a worldwide level our hallmark project is to work with the blind and vision impaired,” LaJoye said.

Locally the Lions Club also offers a scholarship each year to an Orange Beach resident for college. The scholarship is $1,000 a year for four years. Students must be graduating high school and should be active in their school and the community.

The club collects used eye glasses and supporters are encouraged to drop them off at City Hall or give them to a club member. Grimes encourages those donating to leave a name and address so the club can show thanks.

“They can give their old eye glass frames or pairs that they aren’t using anymore to any Lions Club member,” he said.

However, the most fun way to help will be today at the race.

“This is something that is fun for the family and it is a way to give back,” Grimes said. “We encourage people to follow what we are doing and help and over the next few years this fundraiser will grow in magnitude and in excitement.”

Grimes would like to ensure that no ducks will be harmed in the Rubber Duck Race.

For more information about the Orange Beach Lions Club visit orangebeachal.lionwap.org.