Paris, TN – A group from the Leadership Henry County Class of 2025 has led a heartfelt community initiative to raise funds for car seats benefiting local families in need. The project supports The Shed, a program operated by Sgt. Michelle Brewer at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office that provides essentials to children and families experiencing hardship in Paris and Henry County.
Leadership Henry County, a program facilitated by the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, is an annual initiative designed to equip local leaders with a deeper understanding of community leadership through hands-on experiences. Throughout the 8-month class, participants visit local businesses, hear from leaders in government and the private sector, and collaborate on a group project aimed at making a lasting impact on the Henry County community.
This year’s class was divided into two groups. Group A chose to focus on child safety, identifying a critical need for car seats – an item rarely donated due to strict expiration standards and the requirement that they be purchased new to ensure safety. The group set a fundraising goal of $5,500 to purchase 100 car seats at $55 each for distribution through The Shed. Thanks to generous support from individuals and organizations across the community, they successfully reached their goal.
Juvenile Court Judge Vicki Snyder praised the effort and said:
“Community-led initiatives like this one are vital for raising awareness. Not many people know the hardships families in this community face. It’s not just about providing resources, it’s about showing our neighbors that we care and are here for them.”
A representative from Leadership Henry County added:
“This initiative is critical in ensuring that children in our community travel safely. We appreciate the community’s support in helping The Shed continue providing these much-needed car seats to families who need them most.”
The group plans to present a check to The Shed at the conclusion of the Leadership Henry County program in June. To make further contributions to this project, or for more information, please contact Michelle Brewer at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. Every dollar helps protect the youngest and most vulnerable members of our community.
Pictured at The Shed: The Leadership Henry County classmates work with Michelle Brewer to fundraise for “grow-with-me” car seats to be distributed to Henry County families in need. Left to right: Lilli Taylor, David Andrews, Henry County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Scott Wyrick, Henry County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Michelle Brewer of The Shed, Abby Pierce, and Leslie Henegar. Not pictured from the group are: Katelynne Allison, Caleb Orr, Jarod Wilson, Luanne Taylor, and Shane Paschall.