Turkey Hunters Care Program Provides
Thanksgiving Meals for Local Families
November 21st, 2022
For the 17th 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 November 17th and 21st, six NWTF volunteers delivered 341 frozen turkeys weighing in at 4,823 pounds total to twelve local charities and organizations as well as selected families. 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.
Frozen turkeys this year were delivered to the Benson Food Bank, Whetstone Cowboy Church, Whetstone Fire Department, Southern Arizona Humanitarian Aid Resource Alliance (SAHARA), 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. Tom Fuller, Ryan Catlett, Scott Vasey, Paul Campbell, and Tom Deecken assisted with deliveries.
Special thanks go to the following donors for their financial support:
Walmart Store No. 3807 (Benson) ~ SSVEC
Larry Whitney-Whetstone Cowboy Church ~ Keith Newlon-Pioneer Title
Dan Dolan-Crest Insurance Group ~ Scott and Joan Vasey
Tom Deecken ~ Dave Winiesdorffer
Arizona State Chapter, NWTF ~ Huachuca Gould’s Chapter, NWTF.
Special recognition goes to Benson Walmart Store No. 3807. Their grant, additional donations, and reduced prices helped put more birds on Thanksgiving tables. Assistance by the store’s employees in loading over 340 birds for delivery was greatly appreciated as well.
Over the past 10 years, the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter has distributed 2,321 birds weighing in at 33,510 pounds (almost 17 tons!) through Turkey Hunters Care. The Chapter is pleased to participate in such a worthwhile program!
Happy Holidays to all!
001 Wayne Kaiser Reviews Flight Orders on Delivery Day
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002 Ready for Departure
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003 Pre-flight Portrait on Benson Walmart Runway
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004 Brief Touch and Go at Benson Food Bank
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005 Bird Transfer at Whetstone Cowboy Church
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006 Another Unloading at SAHARA in Huachuca City
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007 Happy Faces for Receivers and Givers at SAHARA
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008 Thanks for Your Support
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