River View junior funds swim wedges for project

JT Allison celebrated the end of his Coshocton County Youth Leadership Program Pay It Forward Project with the purchase of eight backstroke starting wedges. The wedges will be stored at Coshocton High School’s pool and be used by members of its swim team, River View High School’s swim team, Ridgewood High School’s swim team and the Rising Tide Aquatic Club.

For several years members of the Coshocton County Youth Leadership class have been given $100 and challenged to make a difference in someone’s life or in the community.

“I wanted to do something that would benefit an organization or group that means so much to me, and that is the swim program and Rising Tide,” Allison said.

The River View High School junior has spent three years with the Black Bears swimming team and started with Rising Tide the fall of his eighth grade year.

“The wedges help swimmers with their grip so they don’t slide down the wall,” Allison said. “That could really ruin someone’s race.”

He needed to raise approximately $2,000 for the wedges and accomplished his goal by collecting additional donations from the community and doing two 50/50 raffles at swim meets.

“Doing this taught me a lot about giving back to your community and how it feels to be a community steward,” Allison said. “One person can really make a huge difference.”

Those who helped Allison make the project possible include Reed Family Dental, Home Loan Savings Bank, Park National Bank, River View Athletic Boosters, Dr. Fornara, Optics Plus Vision Center, Z Nails, Shriver Tire Service and Fischer Funeral Home.