Henry County residents take plunge for charity
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BUCHANAN, Tenn. — Dozens were out freezin’ for a reason Thursday morning at Paris Landing State Park for a good cause. The sixth annual Shiver on the River was held New Year’s Day to raise money for REAL Hope Youth Center, a nonprofit after-school program for kids. REAL stands for recreational, educational, arts and leadership. It’s a program that offers help with homework, team building activities and more. “We appreciated everybody and everybody’s support that comes to help us out,” vice president of the nonprofit Tommy Ham said. Ham said they started this fundraiser five years ago because of the prime location. Participants tell WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News the main reason they take a dip in the middle of the winter is for the kids. “Just for the kids, you know. It’s a lot of fun,” participant Dennis Inman said. “We’re all about kids, all about the youth and what we’re benefiting plus our church is heavily involved too,” participant Michael Boley said. While some were seasoned veterans, rookies were in the crowd too. “This is our first year,” Boley said. “It was her idea. She said ‘why don’t we do this,’ and we said ‘ya,’ but then time came and we’re like ‘ya…'”” Gary Waugh with the Henry County Rescue Squad said with water temperatures hovering in the mid-30s they were on standby. Organizers said nearly $4,000 was raised at this year’s plunge. The nonprofit runs on a budget of around $85,000 a year. REAL Hope Youth Center says its next big event will be “Horseshoes for Hope” in March.
