POWERGRAMS

100% CONNECTED APSO/VIVA fishing tourney helps fund shelter for youths The APSO-Gadsden Chapter's fishing tournament benefits Thirteenth Place, a shelter for homeless youths. H elping kids in need was the force that pushed Thirteenth Place. Elizabeth Elliott out of bed before daylight Viva Health came on board as a lead sponsor for on a Saturday for the Alabama Power Service the first tournament in 2011 and has been a vital part Organization-Gadsden Chapter's third annual fishing of the effort ever since, said Gadsden Crew Foreman tournament. Cory Eubanks. "Viva Health has stepped up to At 3:30 a.m. on June 29, Elliott, Gadsden Customer Service representative, was at her post at Coosa Landing, ready for the start of the tournament benefiting Thirteenth Place, a shelter for youths in homeless crisis situations. The Gadsden facility provides housing for youths ages 11-17. Since it opened in 1977, the shelter has offered a safe haven to more than 3,200 young people. "I really feel for those kids. For some of them, they have no other place to go," said Elliott, who has assisted with all three tournaments. "I want them to have a good life like my kids." Gadsden APSO partnered APSO-Gadsden's daylong fishing tournament, now in its third year, with Viva Health to host the launches at Coosa Landing. daylong tourney, which drew the plate three years in a row and helped make the 31 boats and 60 fishermen, and raised $13,000. The tournament easy," he said. "We couldn't have done it shelter, which currently houses 15 youths, plans to without them." use the funds to help purchase a much-needed van. Thirteenth Place furnishes runaway youths with "The Alabama Power Service Organization has a safe, homelike shelter, three meals a day, clothing, been super to us," said Kim Payne, executive director and individual, group and family counseling, along of Thirteenth Place. "Every year, it gets harder and with educational and recreational opportunities. harder for nonprofits to obtain grant money, and we These services are a port in the storm to the youths need those grants to operate. The tournament has who often walk through the doors the first time with been our saving grace." all their belongings stuffed in a grocery bag or trash The Gadsden Chapter awarded $3,175 in prizes to bags. the top eight finishers and $250 to the two fishermen The facility mainly provides emergency shelter and in the boat that reeled in the biggest fish. Door prizes crisis intervention services to youths and families in were presented, including gift cards to restaurants, Gadsden, Etowah County and the surrounding area. a free oil change and tire rotation, goodie bags and But runaway teens have been welcomed from as far an overnight stay at Fairfield Inn, said Willette away as Minnesota, Florida and Texas. Chambliss, project chairwoman and Gadsden Real "We are so blessed to have all the things we have," Estate specialist. Brown said. "It means the world to me to give On the "big back a little of what I have to those who don't have day," 20 volunteers anything." turned out for the event. Their By Carla Davis jobs ranged from handling registration and setup to weighing the fish and helping participants launch their boats. The volunteers cooked hot dogs and hamburgers and served them, along with chips, cookies and soft drinks, to the fishermen and the kids from Thirteenth Place. The first tournament grew out of a suggestion offered by avid fisherman Darin Brown, Power Delivery lineman, Gadsden Crew Headquarters. Having fished in bass tournaments through the years, Brown knew these events can be big money-makers. The three tournaments have brought in $36,000 for PAGE 7

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