Huachuca Gould’s Gives Back to the Community
with Thanksgiving Turkeys
November 21st , 2025
For a 20th year, the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and partners through the Turkey Hunters Care program provided the main course for Thanksgiving dinners in southern Cochise County.
On November 21st, four NWTF volunteers delivered 320 frozen turkeys (weighing in at 4,745 pounds total) to local charities and organizations.
The Turkey Hunters Care program is a nation-wide effort by the NWTF that provides Thanksgiving turkeys to families in need through supporting local organizations. In the 20-year period of Huachuca Gould’s participation in the effort, generous monetary donations have grown from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The Chapter is now able to reach more families in southeastern Arizona.
The eleven receiving organizations were the Benson Food Bank, Whetstone Cowboy Church, Whetstone Fire Department, Southern Arizona Humanitarian Aid Resource Alliance (SAHARA), Forgach House, Our Lady of the Mountains Church, Hoop’s House, Salvation Army, Peach’s Pantry (Chiricahua Health Care), and Thunder Mountain Church. One local family received a bird as well.
Wayne Kaiser, Chapter Treasurer, purchased and helped deliver the turkeys, secured donations and a grant, and coordinated with each receiving charity. Assisting Wayne with deliveries were Tom Fuller, Dave Kemnitz, and Tom Deecken.
Special thanks go to the following donors for their financial support:
- Walmart Store No. 3807 (Benson)
- Larry Whitney
- Scott & Joan Vasey
- Ray Zoratti
- Charlie Hecox and Renee Chambers
- Joe Arias
- Tom & Joey Fuller
- Tom Deecken
- Pam and Paul Warren
- John Rose
- Stephanie and Dave Johnston
- Steve Tritz
- Anonymous Donor
Once again, special thanks go to Benson Walmart Store No. 3807 for its grant, additional donations, and reduced prices for the frozen turkeys. Help with loading 320 birds for delivery was greatly appreciated as well. In particular, Lindsey Gonsalez and Julie Zupanic coordinated the turkey transfer and Ms. Katie, Store Manager, approved the grant.
Over the past 4 years, the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter has distributed 1,311 birds weighing in at 18,543 pounds (over 9 tons!) through Turkey Hunters Care. The Chapter is pleased to participate in such a heartwarming community service!
Happy Thanksgiving!
001 The day starts at the Benson Walmart
003 You said how many more do we have to load
005 Thank you Benson Walmart!
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002 An Initial Inventory of the boxed turkeys
004 Boxed and ready for the flight south
006 First stop at the Southern Arizona Humanitarian Aid Resource Alliance in Huachuca City
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007 Off loading at the Salvation Army in Sierra Vista
009 Happy Thanksgiving to All! |
008 The makings of a welcome Thanksgiving meal at the Salvation Army
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