Kayaking for Kids raises over $17,000 for needy children

Nearly 100 people turned out Saturday at the Ballard Ford East river access point for a morning of kayaking and raising money to help local children as part of the annual Kayaking for Kids race.

“This is my favorite project that I have ever been a part of as Whitley County Judge,” Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. told participants Saturday morning.

“This year we are set to raise over $17,000 from this event. Every penny of that goes back to kids programs in our communities, most of it going to our school resource centers for some of the neediest kids in our county.”

Whitley County Projects Director Amber Owens said Monday afternoon that the event raised about $900 in registration fees alone not including corporate sponsorships. Usually, registration fees only bring in $500 – $600 most years.

Ronnie Bowling won the overall kayak race.

His wife, Sarah Bowling, was sixth overall and the first female finisher in the race.

Ralph and Channing Carte won the jon boat portion of the race.

White added that he appreciated the efforts of all the organizers and participants, including: Woodbine Fire and Rescue, which provided a safety boat on the river in the event of an emergency, members of the Whitley County Tourism Commission Board, and everyone else that helped out.