When the owners of Sudsy’s Car Wash toured the Child Advocacy Center, they were shocked at the number of abused children the center served.

Sudsy’s owners David and Vick VanLiere and their son and daughter-in-law Troy and Donna VanLiere heard Executive Director Sharon DeBoer explain the nonprofit Child Advocacy Center in Rutherford and Cannon Counties has served some 7,500 child victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse and drug endangerment since the center opened 12 years ago. She discussed the process of what happens when there’s an alleged abuse and how the CAC staff interviews the child in a child-friendly and supports the family through the investigation and court.

Troy VanLiere said the center’s mission impacted he, his wife, and his parents. Like many families, there is a history since wife Donna was molested twice as a child. 

“We want to help other kids who go through that,” VanLiere said, adding he was impressed with the staff. “Wow, this is the kind of thing you want to get involved in.”

Sudsy’s became the King Quaker presenting sponsor by donating $10,000 to CAC’s annual Rubber Duck Derby that raises funds to pay for staff salaries and the operation of the centers.

Employees at Sudsy’s at 1870 S. Church St. will sell adoptions for the rubber ducks between now and the race day June 23 when 10,000 rubber ducks will race down Stones River beginning at 4:23 p.m. at the Sportsman’s Club at 1231 Medical Center Parkway. Donors pay $5 per duck and each duck is marked with the donor’s number. The donor matched with the fastest duck receives a $5,000 grand prize. Donors of the next 14 fastest ducks will receive more than $18,000 in prize packages.

Beginning this week, Sudsy’s staff will ask every customer who comes through the car wash on South Church Street to adopt a duck for five bucks.

Customers who buy three to five ducks receive a free $5 wash, a quack pack of six ducks for $25 receives a free $12 wash, a quacker’s dozen of 12 for $50 receives a $25 gift card and a flock of 25 for $100 receives a $50 gift card. 

Blackman High School cheerleaders will sell ducks from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 2 and June 16. Sales will also be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 9 at Sudsy’s.

Ducks will be adopted at these specific times:

• Dillard’s from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. June 2 and June 9.

• Buffalo Wild Wings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 6. Also, 10 percent of sales will be donated to the Child Advocacy Center.

• Belk’s from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. June 2.

• Lanes, Trains and Automobiles from noon to 6 p.m. June 9.

• Penny’s Closet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 14.

Other adoption sites include Demos’ restaurant, Lanes, Trains and Automobiles, Bell Jewelers, Reeves-Sain, Top of the Block, Slick Pig, Cox Family Martial Arts, Double Tree, Jo Zahara, Olympus, Murfreesboro Post, The Daily News Journal, Julia’s Bakery, Murfreesboro Toy Company, Ethan Allen, Penny’s Closet, Mills Family Pharmacy, State Farm Agent Andy Womack, Hobby Town, Carla & Co., Complete Nutrition, Mid-South Bank, Wilson Bank, Nexgen Barber Shop and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

Also, many businesses have the Duck Adoption flyers available. The flyers may be mailed to the Child Advocacy Center at 1040 Samsonite Blvd., Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37129. Donors may also adopt ducks online and learn more information at www.boroduckderby.com. Information is also available on FaceBook’s Child Advocacy Center Rubber Duck Derby.

The VanLieres opened Sudsy’s Car Wash three years ago with guidance from Kelly Beam, director of membership for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. They love working in Rutherford County and want to give back to the community as corporate partners.

“We became familiar with the Duck Derby last year and thought it was a good fit for a family-owned business and children are near and dear to all of our hearts,” VanLiere said. “Even visually, it’s a great confirmation of getting their duck and our duck together.”