Float-A-Boat, owned by Gena Trice and Kim Council, invites everyone to get outside and enjoy a beautiful day on the river for the CGFreck Foundation’s Annual Duck River PAW-ker Float Saturday, May 16, with a special poker run, BBQ provided by Float-A-Boat, a silent auction with gifts from local businesses (homemade pies!), and music from artists Zach Donegan, The Jimmy Jack Band and Asher Cataldo.
All musicians, local businesses and Float-A-Boat are donating 100 percent of the proceeds and their time to CGFreck Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to rescuing, feeding, housing and caring for homeless animals while educating and supporting no-kill shelters.
A $30 admission ticket includes a hand in the poker run, silent auction, live music and BBQ. Contenders can float down the Duck River, where they stop along the way at gravel bars, hang out, eat snacks and get more cards in this five-card poker run promising a cash prize for the winner at the end! (More cards can be purchased upon request.) There is a deadline to the float; however this is not a race. Those not wanting to participate in the float can purchase a $10 ticket to see live music as well as purchase BBQ (BYOB).
Donations can also be made to CGFreck at the event, and information will be available on how to get involved, foster, adopt and spread the word. Bring your family and your furry friends (leash required) for a float down the river! Dogs float free. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. with the first boat to appear in the water at 10 a.m. Live music kicks off at 2 p.m. Due to limited availability, advance registration is required by May 8. For more information, or to register, call (931) 619-6959 or (615) 925-9767 or e-mail CGFreck@gmail.com.
Toot’s South is also supporting the cause and is a big sponsor of the event. The restaurant, located on South Church Street in Murfreesboro, will host a fundraiser night for the cause on April 21
The CGFreck group plans to hold a fundraiser twice a year, with their first one having been held in October of 2014.
“We moved it to May in the hopes of getting more participation this time,” said Council. “Getting out of the winter, people are ready to get on the river, and our hopes are to raise more money and spread more awareness.”
“It’s just a great way to help animals,” explained Trice. “The foundation has already undergone many expenses when it comes to things like medical bills for people that can’t afford to pay for their animals’ [medical expenses], or for homeless or rescued animals. All proceeds directly benefit these animals.”
The Jimmy Jack Band
CGFreck was founded by Trice and Gayle Osteen in loving memory of Trice’s deceased furry friends CG and Freckles. Alongside Bedford County Animal Control, the CGFreck Foundation helped rescue over 100 dogs in a hoarding case that came to light in January 2015. Since October the foundation has helped at least 70 animals in the Middle Tennessee area, through foster-home placement, adoption, medical treatment and other assistance. Those unable to attend the event can still go to their website, cgfreck.com, and donate.
“I used to think, ‘Oh, I can’t go to a shelter, or volunteer, because it’ll just break my heart. I’ll want to take all of them home,’” Trice said. “But if people would just do something . . . [be it] volunteer, donate, share it on Facebook or foster. I know not everyone can adopt or donate, but there is a lot of stuff that they can do that really makes a difference. It’s really heartwarming when you see the good stories. It is sad to see the bad stories.”
CGFreck Foundation works a great deal with Bedford County Animal Control (which tries not to euthanize unless it is the last option) and many shelters in Rutherford County, including Operation Education Animal Rescue, Barfield Animal Hospital and the Humane Society of Tennessee.
Asher Cataldo and Zach Donegan
“We are just trying to save the dogs, because they just don’t have the space,” Trice explained. “The South can be bad about spaying and neutering. We would also like to get involved on the political side, like bringing the Nashville chaining laws to Rutherford County. We are ready to start making changes for the better and for the future.”
“That’s something that we have learned,” said Council. “It’s important to spay and neuter. It’s not just to keep puppies from being born that are not going to have a home, but it’s also healthier for them. It helps cut down on cancer and other stuff.”
Float-A-Boat (205 Blackman Blvd. W., Wartrace, Tenn.) offers a peaceful experience down the beautiful Duck River and Normandy Lake for beginners and experienced paddlers, providing canoes, kayaks (including fishing kayaks), tubes, paddleboats, SUP and Jon boards for rent. The magical Duck River provides home to 151 species of freshwater fish, 55 species of mussels, and 22 species of aquatic snails. Float-A-Boat is open seven days a week and takes walk-ins and reservations. For more information, visit facebook.com/Floataboat or floattn.com.
