The inaugural Duck Dash at Raging Waters at Cal Expo in Sacramento will take place Saturday, June 15. Thousands of rubber ducks will float down an 800-foot-long lazy river, racing to the finish line to win prizes and raise funds for the Child Life Program at Sutter Children’s Center. Community members are encouraged to adopt a duck – or a paddling of ducks – and cheer them on during the 5 p.m. race.

Funds raised by The Duck Dash will be used to start music therapy services in the Child Life Program at Sutter Children’s Center. Music therapists from McConnell Music Therapy Services use a variety of techniques that have been proven to be effective in helping children and adolescents reach a wide range of goals through music.

The tragedy of Monday’s tornado in Oklahoma may be halfway across the country, but there are still ways we can help locally.

Jordan Scott, communications director for the American Red Cross Capital Region Chapter, said the organization is accepting donations for relief efforts. People can text REDCROSS to 9099 to make an automatic $10 donation, or can visit redcross.org to make a donation.

Scott said there are no plans yet to send teams from Northern California over to Oklahoma for relief efforts, but that it usually takes 24 to 48 hours for them to receive requests.

“Our volunteers know it may happen and to be ready,” Scott said. “We’ve got the experience and the expertise here.”

Volunteers from the area have helped out through other disasters, including the 2011 tornado in Joplin, Mo., and Superstorm Sandy in 2012.