Ducks on The
Dan Derby Duck Race
A
Destination Downtown South Boston
Event
The Ducks on The
Dan Derby Duck Race is brought to
you by Destination Downtown South
Boston, Inc. (or DDSB) to benefit
their mission of the restoration &
revitalization of the historic
downtown business district to
maintain the economic vitality of
the community. They are a 501 (c)3
Tax Exempt Charity. (Tax I.D.
86-1166760) DDSB was instrumental in
getting Downtown South Boston
designated as a Virginia Main Street
Community and continues to act on
behalf of local merchants and
businesses.
What
is a duck race and what is it for?
A charity fund
raising event where 5,000 adopted,
numbered rubber ducks are dropped
into the Dan River & waddle toward a
winner’s trap with the adoptive
parents having a chance to win any
of the great prizes. The proceeds
from the event will go to
Destination Downtown South Boston,
Inc & their efforts in the restoration &
revitalization of the Historic
Downtown Business District to
preserve our Heritage & build the
economic vitality of the community.
Also, part of the proceeds will go
to several Halifax County Charities
DESTINATION DOWNTOWN SOUTH BOSTON
MISSION STATEMENT
To ensure the
long-term viability of the downtown
area as a center of commerce, a
source of civic activity and pride,
a resource for attracting new
businesses and residents, and a hub
of educational and cultural
opportunities. Critical to this
effort is promoting a small-town
quality of life, preserving historic
resources, and capitalizing on South
Boston’s unique heritage and
hospitality.
Board Information
Destination
Downtown South Boston (DDSB) is an
organization that has established
its mission as “To ensure the
long-term viability of the downtown
area as a center of commerce, a
source of civic activity and pride,
a resource for attracting new
businesses and residents, and a hub
of educational and cultural
opportunities. Critical to this
effort is promoting a small-town
quality of life, preserving historic
resources, and capitalizing on South
Boston’s unique heritage and
hospitality.” They carry out this
mission serving as facilitator and
promoter for downtown South Boston
revitalization.
DDSB has been
able to create goals and infuse a
fresh spirit of change into the
South Boston community. They are
becoming successful in forging all
the principles of a successful
downtown organization into a working
unit.
The DDSB Board is
comprised of a 12-member board – a
decisive, action-oriented group,
small enough to establish a quorum
easily and large enough to include
broad community representation.
DDSB’s major
responsibilities are to educate,
build consensus, stimulate the
downtown economy through action,
focus activity on downtown and
maximize volunteer participation.
Very important is their
responsibility and accountability
for the Main Street Program.
Fundraising is an important part of
the Board’s responsibilities.
DDSB monitors the
Main Street Program by regularly
reviewing the program plans and
budget. The Board hires an Executive
Director and is responsible for
overseeing the Director and
reviewing job performance. The
Executive Director reports to DDSB
and he confers with the board
President on a daily basis.
The Board assumes
legal and philosophical
responsibility for all Main Street
activities. The Board is responsible
for establishing program policy,
approving the annual program budget
and determining the goals of the
program. The board members jointly
are responsible for policy
administration, finance, public
relations, evaluation and personnel.
Current list of Board of Directors
for Destination Downtown South
Boston, Inc. 2010
EXECUTIVE BOARD:
President
– Wayne Fuller –
W.A. Fuller Menswear
Vice President – Gene Haugh
Secretary - John Hayes -
South Boston True Value
Treasurer – Tom Raab –
Electric Service Company
BOARD:
Ricky Hutcherson
–
Sun Trust
Jim Sizemore – Rowe
Insulation & Window Company
Patty Ward -
Moving Voices The Isadora
Cultural Exchange, Inc.
Carol Foster -
Parsons Bruce Art Gallery,
Three Women & No Truck
Donna Swanson -
Images by Swanson
Photography
Lilly McDowell -
Town Of South Boston
Ronnie Pulliam -
Pulliam Insurance Company
EX-OFFICIO:
Tamyra
Vest -
Town of South Boston
Community Development
AROUND DOWNTOWN SOUTH BOSTON - 2009
The Arts emerged
as a winner in Downtown South Boston
in 2009 delivering economic, quality
of life synergies.
The Prizery captured a prestigious
new award, Arts Builds Communities
“Rising Star Award”, presented by
Virginians for the Arts in November
2009. Competing against 80 other
entries across Virginia, The Prizery
was given the honor as an
up-and-coming arts entity having a
significant impact on its community.
The Parsons-Bruce Art Gallery in
Downtown continued blazing new
artistic and economic trails,
representing 40-45 artists and
selling approximately 250 pieces of
artwork since its 2008 opening,
pumping almost $17,000 into the
artists’ community.
“Third Thursday” celebrations –
kicked off by the Parsons-Bruce Art
Association – were a hit in Downtown
with music on the green, a featured
artist at the Gallery, fashion, fun
art demonstrations and participating
businesses staying open late to
welcome customers.
The arts also got a big push in
October when Charleston, NC Mayor
Joe Riley hosted a three-day Art &
Creative Economy Conference drawing
statewide participation and focusing
on the potential of the arts to
revive communities and stimulate
economic development.
----------
Renovation plans
got underway at the American Tobacco
Warehouse, which will be the site of
the Southern Virginia Higher
Education Center’s new signature
program, the Business of Arts and
Design that will encompass Product
Design and Development and Digital
Arts and Design. Funding includes $6
million Virginia Tobacco Commission
grants, $4,335,903 Historic Tax
Credits, as well as being awarded
$700,000 in CDBG funds in July 2009.
-------------
DDSB’s Design
Committee oversaw the design of and
installation of new directional
signage downtown in 2009.
------------
The Farmers
Market experienced tremendous growth
with a new marketing brochure
printed in 2009 as well as
development of new tracking measures
of amount of produce sold. The
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition
Program also accounted for $10,800
in coupon redemption by qualifying
seniors. The collaborative and
coordinated approach in growing the
market and supporting vendors
continued with partnerships between
DDSB, The Halifax Co. Farmers Market
Association, Town of South Boston,
Halifax Co. Ag Department, Extension
Office, and VDACS. Through
theFarmers Market Promotion Program
Grant Program, refrigeration and
storage was installed to be able to
expand to sell eggs and other items.
-------------
Events held
include The 2nd Annual Ducks on the
Dan in May, a Summer Concert Series
in June & July, Harvest Festival in
September, Christmas Open House in
November, and the Christmas Parade
in December.
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