[KHTS] – Hundreds of Santa Clarita residents came together Saturday afternoon to race rubber ducks and raise money for Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers at the 13th Annual Rubber Ducky Festival.

Hosted at Bridgeport Park in Valencia, the event featured live performances, dozens of vendors, food trucks, a rock climbing wall and a rubber ducky race with three grand prize winners.

All proceeds from the event went toward patient care services at the Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, Inc., or SDFHC, who provide patient care for uninsured and underinsured residents of the Santa Clarita Valley.

“We don’t refuse serve to anybody (at SDFHC). If you can’t afford our minimal fee of $36, we’ll still provide you with all of the health care services that you need. We’re here to serve our community regardless if they’re about to pay us or not,” said Philip Solomon, CEO of SDFHC. “Events like today with our Rubber Ducky Festival helps offset the cost of the uninsured and closes that gap between the cost of healthcare, which is very expensive, and what we’re able to raise so that we’re able to do this year in and year out.”

The 2014 event raised enough to cover the cost of 400 patient visits.

Residents were able to participate in the race by purchasing a rubber duck for $5.

Thousands of rubber ducks were released from Bolden Pond and raced through the “churning rapids” of the man-made waterway.

The first rubber duck to enter through the finisher’s chute was named the winner.

The grand prize was $2,500, the second grand prize of $1,500 and third grand prize of $500.

“I think (the SDFHC) does an exceptional job in helping the uninsured and underinsured,” said Alan Ferdman, the chairperson of the Rubber Ducky Festival committee. “There’s nothing worse than losing your health. When anybody has a health problem and it’s a tragedy if they can’t afford to see a doctor, then they can come to Samuel Dixon. Samuel Dixon takes them in and certainly does whatever they can do to bring them back on the right road.”

About Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, Inc.

SDFHC was established in 1980 and named for long-time Val Verde resident and minister, the late Reverend Samuel Dixon. As the only non-profit health center founded and based in the Santa Clarita Valley, SDFHC serves the greater Santa Clarita Valley and is governed by a local board of directors, all of whom are Santa Clarita residents.

The mission of SDFHC is to enhance wellness by providing quality primary health care services to unserved and underserved residents, with a special emphasis on serving the uninsured. Easily accessible services are available for the entire family in both English and Spanish. Medi-Cal, Blue Cross and Healthy Families are all accepted, and a sliding fee scale is offered, keeping healthcare affordable for all.

SDFHC is supported by countless individuals as well as corporate sponsors who help make affordable health care possible. Tax-deductible contributions are welcome. Health services are available at the Val Verde Health Center (661-257-4008), the Canyon Country Health Center (661-424-1220), and the Newhall Health Center (661-291-1777).