Feb. 26 fundraiser encouraging community to ‘Live Like Coley’

Published 10:23 am Thursday, February 17, 2022

Organizers of the upcoming Live Like Coley fundraiser event are encouraging folks to bring their appetite, dancing shoes and, most importantly, their giving spirit to help support a local family.

Coley Paschal, a Milledgeville native, was diagnosed five years ago with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. Now, family and friends are coming together to hold a fundraiser that will serve as an opportunity to rally behind the man they describe as a loving father, husband, brother and friend.

The event is set for Feb. 26, at 4 p.m. at the Georgia Military College Activities Center, located at 220 Thomas Field Road, Milledgeville. The fundraiser will include music from two popular party bands, The Mike Veal Band and the 120/80 Band, as well as beer and wine from Amici, food by Southern Dawgs Catering and a chance to win more than 20 raffle prizes. Raffle items up for grabs will include everything from a brand-new rifle to a six-person kayaking trip. The prizes themselves are reflective of many of the things that Paschal himself is passionate about.

“It’s really neat because a lot of these things represent Mr. Coley and what he likes to do,” said Hayley Mote, a longtime friend of the family and an organizer of the fundraiser.

Paschal, a 1975 graduate of Georgia Military College Prep and a 1979 graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, worked for the Department of Natural Resources for more than 30 years serving in various positions including DNR Ranger, game management and area manager in Telfair, Baldwin and Putnam counties. An avid outdoorsman, his favorite hobbies include canoeing, camping, hunting and biking.

Paschal has been married to his high school sweetheart, Debra, since 1982. The couple has three daughters, Keeli, Kaylin and Krista. Paschal is also a loving grandfather. He is known as “Poppy” to to four, soon to be five, grandchildren.

Admission to the Live Like Coley fundraiser is free, and donations will be accepted at the event. Proceeds from the event will help the family with expenses including the around the clock care that Paschal now requires.

“All of the profits of all of these sales are going to the family directly,” Mote said.

More information on the event as well as a list of raffle items can be found on the Live Like Coley Facebook event page. People who are unable to attend but would like to donate can do so by using the GoFundMe QR Code. Raffle tickets will also be sold in advance at Bayne’s Army Store for those who are unable to attend. Raffle winners will be announced at the event.

Since his diagnosis in 2017, friends say that Paschal has been an inspiration to all who know him with his positivity, strength and courage.

“He is the most positive person I’ve ever met to be quite honest…,” Mote said. “He has been the most positive person from the day he was diagnosed.”