POWERGRAMS

4 For Coy Thomas, hunting deer with his dad is among his most treasured childhood memories. Now, father and son are passing along their shared passion for the sport and their love of the outdoors. Through Outdoor Friends Forever (OFF), Coy and Jim are helping children and young people experience the thrill of hunting. OFF is a nonprofit organization that hosts outdoor events such as hunting and fishing weekends for disabled children and their families. "I've been hunting all my life with my Dad," said Coy, who as an 8-year-old bagged his first deer. "But now I'd rather help one of these kids bring down a deer than kill one myself. They get so excited. They realize they can do something they never thought possible." Coy, Power Delivery lineman, Dadeville Crew Headquarters, has been taking disabled youths hunting for the past 10 years. When OFF was formed in 2010, he joined other hunting and fishing enthusiasts in getting the organization off the ground. Coy serves as a guide during OFF's family deer hunt weekends each year in December and January near Alexander City. Each child is paired with two guides and two assistants, who all work together to do whatever it takes to help the children get a full hunting experience. While guides sit with a youngster in the hunting house, the assistants are nearby to retrieve the fallen deer or drive the hunting party back to the lodge. "We start the weekend on Friday night by teaching the kids gun safety," Coy said. "Then, after showing the kids how to hold and fire a gun, we take them hunting on Saturday and Sunday. Because of their disabilities, some of the kids can't shoot a gun by themselves, or they may only be able to press the trigger while we hold and aim the gun for them. But no matter how much we help them, the kids still feel it's their deer." Coy has called on his lifetime hunting buddy to help with the effort. Jim Thomas, line construction coordinator, Auburn Crew Headquarters, said he usually helps prepare the hunting lodge for the families' arrival on Friday night and serves in a support role on his son's hunting team. "Being able to help these kids do something that I really enjoy means a lot to me," Jim said. "Most of them wouldn't have the opportunity to go hunting if it wasn't for this organization." In addition to the main hunting events, volunteers coordinate games for the kids and take them fishing at a nearby pond, Coy said. Each young participant is outfitted with a backpack, camouflage shirt, pants and a hunter orange hat. Along with volunteering for the hunting weekends, Coy helps plan and organize OFF's annual fundraising banquet. In 2014, the event, which included silent and live auctions, games and music, raised more than $20,000. "It's hard to really put into words what volunteers like Coy and Jim do," said OFF founder Jim Hardy. "They do so many things behind the scenes that nobody ever sees. On top of helping to build the shooting house and plan the green fields, they pick up the children and sit them in the truck, take them to the woods, eat with them and spend time with them. For that weekend, Coy and Jim become a member of each child's family." Coy and Jim have both formed lasting friendships with many of the young hunters. "I really enjoy hanging out with these kids. All they want for that weekend is to be one of the guys," Coy said. "You would think they have every reason to complain, but they don't. They live life to the fullest." By Carla Davis Father and son take OFF to help disabled kids hunt 100% CONNECTED Thomas helps Sandlin with pistol on shooting range. Coy Thomas and hunting friend Nick Sandlin in Alex City lodge.

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