Celebrating its 57th year in 2015, the Boston chapter of Ducks Unlimited improved attendance at its annual dinner event by 20 percent and shattered last year's fundraising total, doubling their income to over $60,000. "Boston's ranking in last year's President's Top 100 will certainly be even higher in 2015," said DU Regional Director Ray Ilg. "The committee has worked hard and made smart decisions to achieve these numbers."

The committee's growth was thanks in part to past years' successes. "We've worked hard to be consistent, with the same high-quality location and excellent dinner menu, so people know what to expect. We've also continued to embrace corporate sponsors that have an affinity for our audience," said chapter chairman and DU Regional Vice President Brian Dillon. "Working the phones to make personal contact with past attendees also helped us increase turnout."

Boston DU was again supported by corporate sponsors Xfinity, in conjunction with the Sportsman Channel and Outdoor Channel, as well as Ball and Buck, a lifestyle brand and retailer for the sporting gentleman. "These great partners have been involved with the dinner before and graciously stepped up big again," Dillon said. "They recognize the value of target marketing and the "win-win' of connecting their brands to wetlands conservation."

Committee growth and a desire to raise significant funds for DU's Rescue Our Wetlands campaign were ultimately at the core of the chapter's success in 2015. "Everything hinges on volunteer involvement," Dillon explained. "It energized and motivated our existing committee members to see the new recruits come on board."

Planning is already under way for Boston DU's 58th annual dinner, so mark your calendars for April 13, 2016, and join these dedicated volunteers at the beautiful Fairmont Copley Plaza in downtown Boston.