Andrew County residents don swimwear to promote aquatics initiative

By: Darren Doyle

ANDREW COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — Andrew County residents are wearing their swimwear while they're "out and about" for social media videos, spreading awareness of local fundraising for a new pool.

"Because if we didn't have a pool" has been the justification and mission of Andrew County area residents who have been sporting swimsuits at nail salons, Dentist Offices, Movie theatres and more.

The new trend takes inspiration from the ALS's Ice Bucket Challenge; the Andrew County Aquatics Initiative (ACAI) is on a mission to raise awareness of its efforts to build a new pool. 

"It just felt like this is important, and the community wants this, and they are behind it, and we have felt that. In every step of the way, with just the simple donations to all the businesses that have come forward and wanted to help," ACAI member Christie Lightle said.

To participate, residents are challenged by other ACAI members partaking in the trend, and are encouraged to nominate their own friends and family.

Participants can film a video of themselves in swim gear, goggles, a snorkel or other gear in an unusual place.

Interested participants also do not have to be directly nominated; they can mention the original post and start a new line of nominations. 

"I would say, just have fun with it. I mean, we don't always get to be crazy and do silly things. And I mean, I personally did mine in the middle of the movie theater when I was watching Wicked. It was funny, because we were getting ready to start the movie, and I was in, I was clothed, but I kind of just shimmied out of my clothes into my swimsuit," Lightle shared. "(Someone behind me was worried, but then had already seen the video.) The video had only been out for a few hours, and the announcement had only been out for a few hours, and they were so excited that they were there to witness it. So we've had such a good reception from people." 

The ACAI said it plans to continue its fundraising journey through the end of the year.