Generosity and a Jet Ski: Tims Ford State Park Receives Jet Ski Donation

 It was a day marked by generosity, collaboration, and community spirit as Tims Ford State Park employees graciously accepted the gift of a brand-new jet ski. The donation, made possible through a joint effort by the Hausman Foundation, John and Dana Hausman, Tims Ford Power Sports, and the state park itself, adds a vital tool to the park ranger arsenal. The jet ski will support rescue and recovery missions, improve response times, serve training and educational purposes, and ultimately enhance the safety of guests enjoying the waters of Tims Ford Lake.

The inspiration for the donation stemmed from a harrowing incident on Tims Ford Lake during the summer of 2024. According to Tims Ford State Park Manager Shawn Settle, two sisters were riding a jet ski when it unexpectedly beached, ejecting both riders. One sister landed in the water, but the other was thrown into a nearby tree, where she was left unconscious and suspended by her neck between the branches.  Settle explained that other lake goers did see the girl who landed in the water but didn’t notice right away that another girl had landed in the tree. 

Pictured L to R: Tims Ford State Park Manager Shawn Settle, Park Interpretive Ranger Kaylee Robinson, Dana Hausman, John Hausman, Dee Kelly, Kevin Kelly, and state park operations worker Tim Wright

“A lady eventually realized what was going on, saw her, went out and was just trying to hold her up so she could breathe.”, stated Settle.  “The rangers were getting out there.  We had some boat trouble and some other stuff.  But what we had initially heard, it wasn’t anything life threatening.  When the rangers got out there, they realized they needed more resources.  There ended up being a lot of other resources getting out there.”

Settle expressed appreciation for the ongoing support and dedicated work of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, while also acknowledging the practical limitations of their presence on the water. He noted that responding to boat crashes typically falls under TWRA’s jurisdiction and is not a standard responsibility for park rangers. However, in critical moments, rangers often step in to provide life-saving aid and medical assistance, reinforcing the importance of having well-equipped personnel on site to support emergency situations.

“Both of them were pretty messed up.  But it could have been a really bad deal if someone hadn’t gotten there quickly.”, said Settle.  “There are all kinds of uses that we can get from this jet ski.  It will help us teach boater safety and it’s going to help us do a bunch of different things where we can better communicate and better educate our guests here on the lake.”

John and Dana Hausman, the couple who originated the idea for the purchase, showed enthusiasm to be able to make the purchase and a difference in the community. 

“We’ve been on a lake before when someone was killed and it changes you.”, stated Dana Hausman.  “When we found out about the accident here, even though the girls were only just injured, we wanted to do something to help the lake.”

The jet ski was purchased from Tims Ford Power Sports whose owner of almost two years, Nathan Sensing, expressed pride and compassion in having a hand with the transaction, noting that part of owning a family-run business with a set of values that feel like a family atmosphere includes knowing when to be selfless and give back.

The jet ski that was purchased from Tims Ford Power Sports by The Hausman Foundation and generously donated to Tims Ford State Park.

“We had an opportunity to help out the parks, local law enforcement, EMS and things like that.”, stated Sensing.  “So, yeah.  If we can help, we will.  It’s a community.  We are a part of this community.  And until I had really been here about a year, I didn’t realize how big of a part of this community the business actually was.  It’s nice to have a better understanding of that and appropriately play the part.”  

The funds used to purchase the jet ski came from the Hausman Foundation, a family-led nonprofit established in 2009 following the passing of John Hausman’s mother. Each year, the foundation seeks out charitable opportunities in various communities, aiming to make a lasting impact through thoughtful giving. Since joining the Franklin County community in 2023, John and Dana Hausman have embraced their new hometown with generosity and purpose, with the jet ski donation being a reflection of their commitment to supporting local safety and well-being.