On Aug. 10, Highlands Medical Center and Nourish One Child hosted Scottsboro’s first ever Dragon Boat Race at Goose Pond Colony Resort. It was a day full of fun and community bonding for a charitable cause.
There were 21 Dragon Boat teams competing in the event to raise money for Nourish One Child and the Highlands Medical Center Foundation. Not only were the teams judged in races, they were judged by spirit and best tent decorations. Most teams came with matching shirts and several came with costumes. Elaborate tent decorations added a spirited flair to the atmosphere. From Vikings and Pirates to Storks and Flamingos, the crowd showed an abundance of enthusiasm for the event.
The teams all had different themes. The themes reflected team members’ workplaces, schools, faith, fun and even important causes. One team, Save Lake Guntersville, was united in bringing attention to the lake’s ongoing eelgrass issue. The Drunken Vikings brought a spirit of fun to the event that was entertaining to witness. The winning team, Stork Squad, donned stork hats, had a drummer dressed as a stork and a couple team members dressed in inflatable baby costumes.
Piloting the Dragon Boats themselves took teamwork. The most successful boats were the teams working together and paddling in unison.
“We feel our call first and foremost is the engage the community with love and service and this goes to a good cause. It’s a nice team sport and reminds us all about the power of unity,” said Corey Burns of First United Methodist Church in Scottsboro.
Sonni Hood of Unclaimed Baggage said, “When Unclaimed Baggage first heard about the Scottsboro Dragon Boat Races, we thought it would be such a fun event for our team members. It is a great team building experience. Nourish One Child is also one of our charitable partners, so we were eager to participate to benefit Nourish One Child and the Highlands Foundation. Our team may not be the fastest, but we are having a blast! We are taking notes on how we can be even better next year and are excited to participate in the next Dragon Boat Races. Let’s go, Oar-Phaned Treasure Hunters!”
While it took teamwork to pilot the boats, immense coordination carried out by the 78 volunteers made the Dragon Boat event a success. The volunteers took teamwork to another level. The event itself was well-organized. It had been planned months in advance. Volunteers worked tirelessly just to make the Dragon Boat Race event happen. It was the collaboration of caring people working together to improve our community that accomplished running the event with smooth precision.
“From the volunteers to the fans, everyone has been so enthusiastic. It doesn’t seem like the first dragon boat race ever held here. It looks like something that has been going on here for ten years or more with the organization, support and enthusiasm. The venue—it’s almost like it was designed to race dragon boats. People came here smiling before 6 a.m. getting ready for this and there wasn’t a glitch at all,” said Kelly McGinnis of Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing.
A key player in organizing the race, Mary K. Carlton of Nourish One Child, was unable to see the result of her hard work due to an accident that landed her in the hospital. While other volunteers were saddened about Carlton’s absence, they took the reins of her leadership and carried the event through all while eager to pass the reins back to Carlton when she recovers.
Even though she missed the race, Carlton kept up with it. She saw lots of pictures from friends and supporters. Carlton said Susanna Sivley, Highlands Executive Director of Support Services, paid her a visit at the hospital and brought her a medal and a tee shirt from the winning team. Carlton was glad the event went well and said she was thankful for all of the volunteers, paddlers and sponsors.
“I’m so proud to see all the members of the community come out and support it. To everyone involved, I want to say thank you for supporting our first Scottsboro Dragon Boat Race and raising money to feed children on the weekends. We have been very blessed by tremendous support in Scottsboro,” Carlton said.
