MILLER CO., GA (WALB) -
A couple South Georgia sheriff's are teaming up not to fight crime but to raise money.
Saturday morning, Mitchell and Baker County Sheriff's showed up at the Rocky Bend Flint River Retreat for the 3rd annual Flint River Poker Float and Raft Race. All the proceeds from the event go to Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes.
At seven Saturday morning, 42-people entered the waters for the 3rd annual Flint River Poker Float and Raft Race. Players pick up cards throughout the 10-mile float and whoever has the best poker hand at the end the course wins a prize.
Their participation along with sponsorship raises tens of thousands of dollars for the Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes. The homes are an important resource for kids statewide who are struggling in their own homes.
"They just don't have the home life that they need, and we have had kids that did not even know who their parents were," says Sheriff W.E. Bozeman, Mitchell County.
"They do a lot of great things for youth that just don't have a good home setting, they are brought in and given guidance, and help turn their lives around," says John Bulloch\GA Senator/ Raft Race Judge.
Georgia sheriffs have been getting together to raise money for youth homes across the state since the 1960s.
"Some sheriff's got together, there were so many orphan children in these rural counties, and one of the main sheriff's that got it started was Mr. John Maples, from Mitchell County," says Bozeman.
Over the years, they've seen many success stories. "As long as these kids make the grades in school, we send them off to the college of their choice, and we have got some that has graduated and went on to be doctor's, you just name it, we really push education at these youth homes," says Bozeman.
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