Editor's Note: The following information was submitted on behalf of the Hiawatha Area Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. 

By: Jordanne Shockley

September 15, 2015

                                  5th Annual Ducks Unlimited Banquet

The Hiawatha Area Chapter of Ducks Unlimited (DU) is gearing up for their annual banquet. The purpose behind the annual banquet is to raise funds to help the National DU. According to the National Facts Sheet, 82 percent of the money raised for DU goes towards Waterfowl/Wetlands Conservation and Education, 15 percent to Fundraising and Development, and three percent to Administration and Human Resources.

The Kansas Conservation Projects states that Kansas has lost almost half of its original wetlands. Acreage in Kansas is mostly privately owned and only 2 percent can be enjoyed by all Kansans. Therefore, the Hiawatha Area Chapter of DU is fundraising and bringing awareness to all outdoorsman and conservationists. 

The annual event will take place October 23 at the Fisher Center in Hiawatha. Doors open at 6pm and dinner served at 6:30pm. A live auction conducted by auctioneer Bill Howard will begin around 7pm. The event will also include a silent auction, a five gun raffle and ladies only raffle. All guns will be given away the night of the event with Kenneth Krug completing the official paperwork. A pork dinner will be catered by Dave Mathewson. Tickets are $45 for single, $70 for couples, and $20 for Greenwings (under 21). The ticket includes annual DU membership and dinner.

Anyone is welcome to attend. Tickets may be purchased in advanced by contacting Jacquie Kerl, Wally Leander, Cory Lay, Ryan and Jordanne Shockley or purchased the night of the event. Also check out the Hiawatha Area Chapter DU Facebook page or National DU webpage at www.ducks.org for more information.

Also, the Hiawatha Area DU is also excited to announce that they will be building a permanent, handicap accessible duck blind on the north end of Brown County State Lake. Materials and labor have been donated by many local area businesses to include Midwest Ready Mix and Building Supplies, Bill Butrick Construction, and Gary Meisenheimer. Please watch the Hiawatha Area DU Facebook page for more details and progress reports.