Scavenger hunt for doll brings community together.
PARIS, Tenn. — A West Tennessee community races through town in pursuit of a baby doll. She’s the key to prizes, and what many say is a uniting figure for the community. “We’ve been in mud. We’ve been in rocks. We’ve been through bricks. We’ve been all kinds of places you know, in and out and everything,” Terri Chamness said. Chamness and her granddaughter found ‘Ms. Money’ on Monday where it was hidden at the local Rent A Center. Round 15 of the search started Monday afternoon. Scavenger hunt organizers take a picture with the doll, called ‘Ms. Money’, and post it to Facebook with the hashtag, ‘#payitforward.’ Community members find the doll by getting one clue and a picture of the doll at its location. Residents have to guess where it is. “Scavenger hunts, prizes, gifts – Christmas spirit, that’s what it’s all about, blessing somebody else,” Khris Dumas said, who helped set up Monday’s scavenger hunt. Dumas said it’s all about bringing the community closer together. “It’s great when you can put aside races and egos, and just come together because that’s what it’s about,” Dumas explained. Another aspect of the hunt is about paying it forward. People take a selfie when they find Ms. Money. They can then accept the prize or put part of the prize towards the next hunt. Several businesses have even gotten on board with the hunt. “I love the fact that we’re able to be a part of the adventure. So I’m excited about that part,” Rent A Center Assistant Manager Chris Gibbs said. The man who started it all, Ricky Ward, said he likes to stay in the shadows, but his mission is keeping the community together. Ward said this is all made possible through his company ‘Y-Not Entertainment’. Ms. Money will be making appearances until Christmas Day and on other holidays throughout the year.
