News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Camp Hope in Columbia, Tennessee gives young burn victims the chance to live beyond the burn.
The camp runs off of donations, and the Harrington for Hope event helps with the cause. Cookeville Police Lieutenant Mitch Harrington started the fundraiser after responding to a 2016 house fire that resulted in injury.
“I spent a month at Vanderbilt Burn Unit, and while I was there, I met a lady named Rebecca Lemley, and she was the director of Camp Hope,” Harrington said. “She told me her biggest obstacle she faced every year was funding for the camp, and so, we came up with Harrington for Hope.”
Harrington said the annual event takes place at the Baxter Docks on September 18th. Harrington said people can enjoy Jeep, Motorcycle and Corvette rides as well as auctions, live music, food and more.
“Each of these kids have been treated in a burn facility somewhere in the United States,” Harrington said. “They get to go to camp for a week to just be a kid. Be a normal kid. Every kids there is burned and has scars. There is no judgement there, and it’s a week of fun for them.”
Harrington said a check for all the proceeds will be presented to the camp director at the end of the day. One of the children that could benefit from the funds is 12-year-old Oliver Mooney. Mooney said this will be his 4th year at Camp Hope.
“It is a lot of fun and everyone there is very nice and respectful,” Mooney said.
Harrington said rides will go out through the day starting at 9:00 a.m. as will the other activities. The Dock’s Bar & Grill can be located off of exit 276 on Interstate 40.
