TURKEY HUNTERS CARE
Huachuca Gould’s Chapter
Cochise County, Arizona
November 19th, 2018
What: For the 13th year, volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation enriched Thanksgiving for communities in southern Cochise Country. This year the Chapter delivered 230 frozen turkeys to needy charities and individuals through the Turkey Hunters Care program. Funding came from the Arizona State Chapter and Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, a Walmart grant, and private donations.
When: The date was November 19th, 2018.
Where: Delivery locations included Douglas, Benson, Whetstone, Huachuca City, Fort Huachuca, and Sierra Vista, Arizona.
General Information: Eight volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter delivered over 1½ tons of frozen turkeys to several locations in Cochise County. Recipients of the 230 birds included 9 cooperating charities and organizations as well as selected local families.
The Chapter’s effort is part of the nation-wide Turkey Hunters Care. This National Wild Turkey Federation program provides Thanksgiving turkeys to the needy through supporting, local organizations.
The day began early in the morning at the Walmart No. 3807 in Benson, where the sunrise temperature was near freezing. Brrr for us southeastern Arizonans! The 230 birds, weighing 10 to 15 pounds each, were quickly loaded and on their way to points south. The Walmart crew deserves special thanks for their help.
New roosts for the birds this year included: the Benson Food Bank, Chihuahua Community Healthcare Centers in Sierra Vista, Elfrida and Douglas, Mustang Mountain Cowboy Church, and Whetstone Fire Department. In Sierra Vista birds were released at the Forgach House, Our Lady of the Mountains Church (St. Vincent de Paul), NETCOM Fort Huachuca, Hoop’s House, and Salvation Army.
For another year, Chapter Treasurer Wayne Kaiser did a tremendous job of purchasing the birds, securing donations and a grant, and coordinating with each charity the number of turkeys available. Randy Keiller, Dave Inman, Dave Winiesdorffer, Tom Fuller, Ryan Catlett, Dave Kemnitz, Bob Pourier, and Tom Deecken assisted Wayne on delivery day.
When: The date was November 19th, 2018.
Where: Delivery locations included Douglas, Benson, Whetstone, Huachuca City, Fort Huachuca, and Sierra Vista, Arizona.
General Information: Eight volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter delivered over 1½ tons of frozen turkeys to several locations in Cochise County. Recipients of the 230 birds included 9 cooperating charities and organizations as well as selected local families.
The Chapter’s effort is part of the nation-wide Turkey Hunters Care. This National Wild Turkey Federation program provides Thanksgiving turkeys to the needy through supporting, local organizations.
The day began early in the morning at the Walmart No. 3807 in Benson, where the sunrise temperature was near freezing. Brrr for us southeastern Arizonans! The 230 birds, weighing 10 to 15 pounds each, were quickly loaded and on their way to points south. The Walmart crew deserves special thanks for their help.
New roosts for the birds this year included: the Benson Food Bank, Chihuahua Community Healthcare Centers in Sierra Vista, Elfrida and Douglas, Mustang Mountain Cowboy Church, and Whetstone Fire Department. In Sierra Vista birds were released at the Forgach House, Our Lady of the Mountains Church (St. Vincent de Paul), NETCOM Fort Huachuca, Hoop’s House, and Salvation Army.
For another year, Chapter Treasurer Wayne Kaiser did a tremendous job of purchasing the birds, securing donations and a grant, and coordinating with each charity the number of turkeys available. Randy Keiller, Dave Inman, Dave Winiesdorffer, Tom Fuller, Ryan Catlett, Dave Kemnitz, Bob Pourier, and Tom Deecken assisted Wayne on delivery day.
Thanks go to all the coordinators for the charities, also.
Walmart ~ Tim Doser insurance ~ Rene and Inge Dube ~ Dr. Sullivan, MD
Corner Barber shop ~ Auto Logic ~ Harvey Plumbing ~ Randy and Laura Keiller
Tom Deecken ~ Scott and Joan Vasey ~ Ryan Catlett ~ Arizona Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation
Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation
Walmart ~ Tim Doser insurance ~ Rene and Inge Dube ~ Dr. Sullivan, MD
Corner Barber shop ~ Auto Logic ~ Harvey Plumbing ~ Randy and Laura Keiller
Tom Deecken ~ Scott and Joan Vasey ~ Ryan Catlett ~ Arizona Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation
Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation
Further recognition goes to Walmart Store #3807 of Benson, also. Their grant of $500 put even more birds on Thanksgiving tables. Thank you Scott Olson (Store Manager) and staff!
The Huachuca Gould’s Chapter for another year is heartened to make Thanksgiving Day that much better for needy families in Cochise County.
The Huachuca Gould’s Chapter for another year is heartened to make Thanksgiving Day that much better for needy families in Cochise County.
001 A Little After Zero-Dark-Thirty at Benson Walmart #3807- The day starts early in Benson before the birds leave their roost
003 Some of the Breakfast-of-Champions Still Left
005 From One Roost to Another- Supervising the transfer are Randy Keiller, Tom Fuller, and Dave Inman (left to right) of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter
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002 Breakfast Is Served- Dave Kemnitz, Randy Keiller, and Dave Winiesdorffer fuel up before the heavy lifting starts
004 The Relocation Starts- Tom Fuller oversees the unloading of 230 frozen turkeys
006 A Final Beak Count Before the Flight South- Making sure that the right number of birds get to their roosts are Dave Kemnitz, Dave Inman, Randy Keiller, Tom Fuller, and Bob Pourier
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007 Thank You Walmart #3807 in Benson!- Walmart Staff Scott Olson (Store Manager), Shannon Lindsey Gonzales, and Jacob Lewis (Department Manager) share a pre-flight moment with Randy Keiller of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter
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008 Delivery at the Salvation Army Is Completed- Captain/Pastor Carlos Souza of the Salvation Army of Sierra Vista expresses his thanks with Randy Keiller
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009 Another Thanksgiving Roost- More birds were relocated with St. Vincent de Paul at Our Lady of the Mountains in Sierra Vista
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010 Turkey Delivery Appreciated- Joe Spurgeon of St. Vincent de Paul thanks Randy Keiller (right) for the frozen turkeys
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