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A scavenger hunt on Cedar Creek Lake in Lincoln County is the latest innovative way that Heart of Kentucky United Way is trying to raise much needed funds for programs that it operates in Boyle, Garrard, Lincoln and Mercer counties.

The “Yak-Coe” Adventure Quest, called “YAQ” for short, is a unique fundraiser devised by HKUW Executive Director Stephanie Blevins. It’s scheduled for Friday, July 31 beginning at 11 a.m.

“We’re looking for creative ways to raise funding,” she said. The YAQ will also be a way for families to have a safe outing during the COVID-19 pandemic, she added.

“More than anything though, we are in need of more funding.” Blevins said. “We really want our communities to support this during COVID.”

During the past several months, especially during the pandemic, donations to the HKUW have dwindled, Blevins said. But its programs that benefit community residents ranging from preschoolers to senior citizens to the “most vulnerable” are still dependent on the organization for their operating expenses, Blevins said. “They still need the funding that we promised them.”

YAQ involves paddlers in kayaks and canoes following a treasure map to find 15 “treasures” hidden throughout the Cedar Creek Lake’s five coves. Participants will take their map and paddle their boats to that location, peel off a sticker at the treasure stop, and stick it on their map.

All treasures will be located within reach or on the water’s edge so participants won’t have to get out of their boats.

Participants will head out in groups of 12 at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. and will have an hour and a half to complete the quest.

For every sticker on their map, the participant will receive one ticket that can be placed in the random drawing for the prize, or prizes, of their choosing, Blevins said.

There will be at least 15 prizes including a Yeti cooler, a Southern Viking B&B package, a Cabela’s gift card, fishing shirt and sunglasses and a dry bag/dry box, she said.

Prizes will be awarded at the end of the event, sometime after 2 p.m., depending on the number of participants, and they don’t have to be present to win, Blevins said. “You leaving knowing your participation in this event will change the life of someone in our communities.”

Winners will be contacted by phone, she said.

Another way to collect tickets, which will also help the environment, is to pick up garbage around the lake. For every bag of garbage returned, you get a ticket to put in for the drawings, Blevins said.

Entry fee is $25 per person if they bring their own canoe or kayak. It’s $10 more to rent a boat. All participants will receive a T-shirt

“It’s going to be so much fun!” said Blevins.

 

IF YOU GO

To register for the “Yak-Coe” Adventure Quest go to:

https://form.jotform.com/HKUW/yakcoe-registration

MORE BELOW

 

YAQ will begin at Cedar Creek boat dock #2 outside of Stanford.

Directions: When leaving Stanford on U.S. 150, turn right onto Cedar Ridge Road. At the end of the road, turn left onto Old U.S. 150, which ends at dock #2.