LAPLACE — A July 2005 automobile accident left St. James Parish native Jason Bland with punctured lungs, a brain injury, an amputated leg and a new outlook on life.

Losing his leg opened his heart. Following the accident, Bland became a more spiritual and loving individual, leaving drugs and alcohol behind in favor of supporting others with disabilities.

For the past 10 years, Bland has blessed the lives of thousands through Trinity Outdoors Disabled Adventures, LLC, a spiritually-based 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Trinity Outdoors is a ministry in which nature is the church, Bland said, adding individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities can experience the joy of outdoor activities no matter what hand they have been dealt in life.

Bland started the organization after God came to him in a dream and presented the name Trinity Outdoors with a reminder that it’s better to give than to receive.

Primarily focused on providing family-oriented hunting and fishing trips to children and adults in need of support, Trinity Outdoors also serves veterans, offers Biblical studies and addiction counseling services, distributes meals to the needy, initiates community beautification efforts and assists in natural disaster relief efforts.

This year, Trinity Outdoors rescued more than 80 people from Hurricane Harvey floodwaters and distributed more than $35,000 in donations.

“We weren’t trying to branch out too far, but when people are in need, you just start doing,” Bland said.

Since celebrating Trinity Outdoors’ 10th anniversary in November, Bland has made it his 2018 goal to broaden support and resources in the River Parishes.

The community is invited to attend a video presentation luncheon Bland is hosting from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Petra Restaurant & Lounge, located at 1036 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace.

Guests can expect to find out how they can support the ministry and take part in the fifth annual Trinity Outdoors Bass Classic “Fishin’ with a Mission” Family Fun Day on March 10 at the St. James Boat Club.

“Fishin’ with a Mission” is a day of entertainment that offers archery, BB gun shooting, fishing, spacewalks, arts and crafts and other activities to children while raising funds for service initiatives.

Vendor booths are available upon request.

For more information, contact Maria Stelly at 985-210-9153.

Trinity Outdoors is based in Lake Arthur and extends throughout Louisiana, but it’s important to Bland to keep close ties with the River Parishes because the region houses a significant percentage of people who benefit from the non-profit’s services.

Fourteen-year-old Kade Edmonds of LaPlace met Bland two years ago after a firework accident blew off three of his fingers.

Before he even made it to the hospital, Kade asked his parents when he’d be able to return to playing baseball, a sport he’d loved and diligently practiced since age 4.

Familiar with the feelings of hopelessness that come along with injury, Bland reached out to Kade, offered him words of encouragement and invited him on a hunting trip.

Kade’s father, Kevin, said Trinity Outdoors was a positive influence on his son during a difficult time.

“I think it gives kids that come across injury a bit of happiness,” Edmonds said.

“It’s something for them to get excited about or look forward to. Even though you have an injury, life goes on.”

Kade remains a star baseball player and has trained himself to do everything with his left hand, Edmonds said. He’s also grown an affinity for hunting since going on the trip.

Edmonds said Bland made the trips accommodating to each child, even providing special guns designed for those with disabilities.

Kade is just one child from the area that has found peace out in nature, Bland said, adding Trinity Outdoors has reached thousands over the past decade.

“To take my life and turn it around the way it has and do something positive with it has been amazing,” Bland said.

Recently, one of Bland’s videos of a joyful boy with cerebral palsy on a hunting trip has gone viral, prompting him to consider the impact Trinity Outdoors could have if everyone who enjoyed the video could give just $1 to the cause.

About 80 percent of the organization’s finances are raised from giveaways, raffles and other fundraisers, according to Bland.

The remaining 20 percent comes from community donations.

Bland recently joined the River Region Chamber of Commerce and the St. John the Baptist Parish Business Association to build more connections, but he needs the support of those who can donate on a monthly basis.

For more information, like Trinity Outdoors Disabled Adventures, LLC on Facebook, visit trinitydisabledadventures.com or call 337-548-9000.