Addie McCluskey
Elmore Autauga News
Marcus Thomas, a lifelong Prattville resident, is on a mission to give local kids the same opportunities that once helped shape his own childhood. This Christmas parade season, Thomas plans to hand out free fishing poles and boxing gloves to children, gifts that, for him, represent far more than simple toys.
Thomas’s journey began in Georgia, where he grew up in a community challenged by poverty and crime. Recognizing the need for a safer environment, his mother moved them to Prattville to live with her parents. That move, Thomas says, changed his life.
One of his clearest memories is from 1999, the summer he met his grandfather on his father’s side for the first time. His grandfather gave him a simple blue fishing pole, and soon after, his maternal grandmother took him to Jackson Lake, teaching him how to cast and reel.
“My grandma always told me that if you’re fishing, you’re not getting in trouble,” Thomas said.
Fishing quickly became more than just a pastime. It was a way to stay focused and disciplined. He remembers practicing his cast for hours, learning through trial and error that patience was part of the sport.
“It’s not called catching. It’s called fishing,” said Thomas. “You aren’t going to catch everything the first time.”
Over the years, fishing became woven into his happiest family memories. He especially treasures a 2001 trip to Pratt Pond with his grandfather, when he learned the skill of catfishing.
As a teenager, Thomas admits he sometimes found himself tempted by trouble, but instead of getting reeled in too deep, he spent most of his time working or fishing.
By the time he was 21, Thomas had saved enough money to buy his first boat. Since then, he’s owned nine boats in total — each one a symbol of the freedom and joy he found on the water.
When the COVID-19 pandemic left him temporarily out of work in 2020, Thomas turned his energy toward the community. He and a friend started live fishing pole giveaways on Facebook and TikTok to lift spirits. The effort grew, and soon he was able to reinvest his social media earnings into giving away more poles.
“If I could get every kid a fishing pole, I would, but I’m limited to how much I get in funds to buy poles,” said Thomas.
Once in-person events returned, Thomas began hosting giveaways at Prattville’s CityFest and Christmas parade, personally meeting kids and offering fishing tips.
In recent years, Thomas has also discovered a love for boxing. He now coaches young athletes at Boss Up Performance LLC in Millbrook, hoping to inspire a new generation through sports.
“I felt like Prattville and Millbrook needed a change in sports, and I want to be that change,” said Thomas.
At this year’s Prattville Christmas parade, Thomas plans to give back more than ever, handing out fishing poles, boxing gloves, and other sporting items to local kids.
To help Marcus Thomas reach his goal, donations can be made at his Walmart Registry or Amazon Registry!
