DUBLIN, Ga. — Going through cancer, a disability, or other life-altering illness can be isolating.
This is the reason the non-profit, Kourageous Outdoor Kids, takes children with disabilities on fishing and hunting trips to experience the outdoors with others who understand their health struggles.
13-year-old Thomas Evans is one of them. He was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma in 2021, although he's currently in remission.
"I was able to meet people going through the same thing as me, and people who have finished what I've gone through. And I've been able to get courage from people and help people and get people to tell me that I can do it. And give me the strength to keep going," Thomas Evans said.
His mom, Dyanna Evans said as much as it's helped her son, it's also helped her and her husband, by introducing them to other families who have been where they've been.
"When he was first diagnosed, we really did feel kind of isolated because not many people have gone through this. And you know everybody's there for you and willing to help, but you kind of need a relatable experience to go through," she said.
Thomas got involved with the non-profit and started going on hunting trips which helped get his mind off his health journey.
"They are an amazing group and I love what they do. And I couldn't ask for a better group to be with," he said.
To help fund their mission, Kourageous Outdoor Kids teamed up with downtown Dublin business, Hello Sunshine.
Hello Sunshine sold canvas painted by the kids in the program to raise funds. In December, sales raised $700 in donations for the non-profit.
Owner Kim Cook started the store by carrying and choosing businesses that have a charity as part of their mission.
"And that's where purchase with purpose was actually developed because 80% of my items are connected to a charity," Cook said.
She said people from all over the country, and the world have purchased a painting from her store.
"We've had a lot of conversations you know, after they're looking through the art. and they feel connected once they read the stories on the back of the art," Cook said.
Hello Sunshine still has canvases left for purchase at the store.
Kourageous Outdoor Kids co-founded by Michael Yawn says he loves seeing the kids leave the hunting trips happier than when they came in.
"You can see a big difference in them when they leave. Asking you when the next one is, or when we can do it again, or something like that. It makes you put your life in perspective," Yawn said.
He said the guides on the trips are all volunteers, and the trips are completely free to kids and their families.
While they are based in Dublin, the trips are open to any families all over the United States.