Softball tourney raises over $9,000 for Bozeman family
Published 8:34 pm Wednesday, November 30, 2022
The LHS team came in second.
Justin Bayman with the LHS team up to bat.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Troopers from all over the state came to support Correy Bozeman and play in the co-ed softball tournament at Turner Park.
Brantley Bombers
Gered White, trooper with the Capital Police, gave Correy a trooper bear and a junior trooper badge.
The Old Timers came out victorious after a win over the Luverne High School team and brought home the tournament trophy.
Correy enjoyed the day and time with friends.
The Bench Warmers
By Haley Mitchell Godwin
Ten teams played in a coed softball tournament held Nov. 12 at E.L. Turner Park benefiting 10-year-old Correy Bozeman, fourth-grader at Luverne Elementary School.
The tournament raised over $9,000.00 to help Correy and his family with their ongoing battle against an aggressive and unknown type of cancer.
With Brandy McCloud Mount at the helm, a host of community members rallied together to plan and organize the event.
Mount is the mother of Correy’s best friend, Jax Bayman, and said that things could not have gone any better.
“The day was incredible,” Mount said. “Our community is simply amazing. The donations, volunteers, and turnout were unbelievable. Thank you to each and every person that came out or helped in any way. Our community coming together is what made all this possible.”
Matt Barnes and his brother traveled from their homes in Gulf Shores to play with Hammer Time, a team organized by Luverne Hardware.
“I play with Todd Cornelius on Roof Masters, a softball travel team,” Barnes said. “Between tournament games, the various teams come to the middle of the field, and we pray. I always ask for any prayer requests, and many months ago, Todd started asking for prayer for a little boy with cancer. So, I’ve been praying for Correy for a long time and am thankful and humbled that Brandy reached out to me, and that my brother and I were able to come show our support. We want Correy and his family to know that there are people from well beyond Crenshaw County who love and support them.”
Dale Simmons, teacher and head softball coach at Luverne High School, participated in the tournament as a member of the LHS team, finishing as runners-up behind the winning team, the Old Timers.
“Everyone had a great time doing what we could to help,” Simmons said. “It was great to see Correy having a good time with friends and watching the games. Everybody that helped put the event together did a tremendous job. The turnout was great and just like our small-town community always does when one of our own is in a time of need, so many people stepped up and came together to help make things just a little easier on the Bozemans.”
Correy’s parents, Matthew and Meredith Bozeman, said they were extremely thankful for the support shown to their family.
Meredith said one of their biggest blessings is living in an area where everyone looks out for each other.
“We are tremendously blessed to live in Crenshaw County,” Meredith said. “It’s hard to find words to express our gratitude but we want to thank everyone throughout the county and surrounding areas from the bottom of our hearts for what has been done. From Brandy McCloud Mount listening to what God was telling her to do, and organizing the tournament, to the people that came to watch, and everyone in between – you each touched our hearts more than you will ever know. I pray God blesses each of you as much as yall have blessed us.”
Meredith said although there have been many ups and downs during Correy’s battle, some things have remained the same.
“Through all of this, there are a few things that are certain,” Bozeman said. “Correy is a resilient, brave, and determined boy who never gives up and faces everything head on with a big smile. To know Correy is to love him. He loves Transformers, Yoda, Legos, Alabama Football, the Luverne Tigers, his family, and God.”
“Our faith has played a huge part in allowing us to find peace. We’ve had the constant support and prayers of all of Crenshaw County with us since day one and Correy knows that God is taking care of him and has control of this. We know that nothing surprises God and that He is working everything out for His Glory.”
Since being diagnosed in September 2020, Correy has undergone multiple rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. His condition has regressed rapidly, and he is experiencing symptoms of radiation necrosis along with many other side effects from chemo. These symptoms, combined with his tumors, have caused him to have difficulty walking and standing.
The Bozemans have big hopes for Correy to be accepted into a new clinical trial in Seattle, WA and are awaiting test results to see if he qualifies.
There is an account in Correy’s name at First Citizens into which donations can be made.
