Will pass out frozen turkeys for families in need

The South Hills Longbeards chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) will once again participate in the organization’s Turkey Hunters Care program and pass out frozen turkeys to local families in need for the holiday season.

In order to raise money to purchase the turkeys, members of the chapter are currently selling tickets for a Gun Bash on Saturday at Collins Career Technical Center. Doors for the event open at noon, and the 12-gun drawing will begin at 1 p.m., and every 20 minutes until all of the guns are given away.

Gun Bash tickets are for admission, food and drink, and a chance to win one of the 12 guns.

Tickets in advance of Saturday are $40 each, two for $70 or three for $100. Tickets the day of the event are $50 each. In addition, anyone who purchases a ticket does not need to be present to win, and will be contacted by phone to notify them to go to the appropriate gun store to pick up their gun.

The chapter will also have six guns set up on raffle games during the bash, as well as a 50/50 split the pot.

To purchase tickets for the Gun Bash, contact chapter president Larry Pernestti at 740-534-9128 or 740-646-6907, or chapter member Chris Sammons at 740-237-5562.

Tickets are also available at CnS Guns in Ironton, Todd’s Sporting Goods in Proctorville and K-Hill Indoor Shooting Range in Kitts Hill.

All winners must pass the federal and state background checks as well as follow all guidelines and complete all required forms through the chapter’s FFL dealers. All money raised through the event will be used to purchase frozen, domestic turkeys for needy families this holiday season.

Last year was the first year the chapter participated in the program, and 150 frozen turkeys were given to local churches and food banks. The chapter is also currently looking for local businesses and individuals to join in on the effort to add to City National Bank and South Point Walmart as sponsors. Anyone interested in being a sponsor for the Turkey Hunters Care program can contact Pernestti at one of the numbers earlier listed.

All of the frozen turkeys will be distributed by the South Hills Longbeards chapter at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12 at the South Point Walmart parking lot.

“Family is the focus for many during the holiday season. We can help less fortunate families enjoy time with each other by eliminating some of their worries,” NWTF CEO George Thorton said in a press release. “Our mission is one of service, and that service begins by showing how much we care for our communities.”