Turkey Hunters Care Program
Provides Thanksgiving Meals for Local Families
November 23rd, 2020
For the 15th year, the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and partners provided the main course for Thanksgiving dinners in southern Cochise County through the Turkey Hunters Care program.
On Nov. 23rd, ten NWTF volunteers delivered 300 frozen turkeys, 4461 pounds of poultry, to ten local charities and organizations as well as selected families. Funding came from the Huachuca Gould’s chapters of the NWTF, a Walmart grant and private donations. Delivery locations included Benson, Whetstone, Huachuca City, Sierra Vista, and rural points in Cochise County.
The Huachuca Gould’s Chapter’s effort is part of the nation-wide NWTF Turkey Hunters Care program. This effort provides Thanksgiving turkeys to families in need through supporting, local organizations.
The volunteers, aided by the store crew, loaded the birds at the Benson Walmart (No. 3807) early Monday morning. From there, trucks staffed by NWTF volunteers shuttled the turkeys to habitat southward. Roosts for the birds this year included the Benson Food Bank, Whetstone Cowboy Church, Huachuca City Police Department, and Whetstone Fire Department. In Sierra Vista birds were released at the Forgach House, Our Lady of the Mountain Church, Hoop’s House, Salvation Army, Peach’s Pantry (Chiricahua Health Care), Sierra Vista Cares, and St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church.
Wayne Kaiser, Chapter treasurer, purchased and helped deliver the turkeys, secured donations and a grant, and coordinated with each receiving charity. Randy Keiller, Dave Winiesdorffer, Dave Inman, Tom Fuller, Ryan Catlett, Dave Kemnitz, Bob Pourier, John Millican and Tom Deecken assisted with deliveries.
Special thanks go to the following donors for their financial support: Walmart Store No. 3807 (Benson), Rene and Inge Dube, Corner Barber Shop, Randy and Laura Keiller, Auto Logic, Tim Doser of State Farm Insurance, Tom and Joetta Fuller, Harvey Plumbing, Dr. Sullivan, MD, PLLC, Rock Solid Solution, Jack Isler, SSVEC, Pioneer Title, Tom Deecken, Scott and Joan Vasey, Kevin Jones, Dan Young, and the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the NWTF.
Further recognition goes to Benson Walmart Store No. 3807. Their $500 grant helped put additional birds on Thanksgiving tables. Scott Olson (store manager), Shannon Veith (Assistant Manager), Jolene Hellard and Lindsey Gonzales (Meat Department), and Chris McDaniel (Tucson Headquarters) assisted.
Happy Holidays to all!
001 Start of Day in Benson
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002 How Many Go Where
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003 One Flock Bound For Sierra Vista
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004 Another Flock Heading Farther South and East
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005 A Third Flock Headed to Whetstone and Huachuca City
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006 Ready For the Flight To More Roosts South
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007 A Successful Release at Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church in Sierra Vista
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008 Going to Roost at the Salvation Army in Sierra Vista
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009 Wishing You a Happy Holiday Season