NWTF Chapter Earns Best Inaugural Event Award
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The NWTF’s Best Inaugural Event Award was presented to the Georgia NWTF State Chapter during the NWTF’s 50th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak. This award honors chapters that have hosted an exceptional first-time hunting heritage event, including JAKES, Wheelin’ Sportsmen or Women in the Outdoors.
The Georgia NWTF State Chapter partnered with Beards for Benefit, a local organization in Donalsonville, Georgia, that brings veterans and disabled children together for turkey hunting. The event hosted 25 disabled youth and 25 disabled veterans for mentored hunts, giving them the opportunity to celebrate the life-changing power of the outdoors.
“It's a great honor for the state of Georgia to get recognized nationally,” said Greg Brown, Georgia NWTF State Chapter volunteer. “But also, that we can recognize these veterans, these kids and what they're going through, what they've been through and the efforts being made to get them back in the outdoors, and get them back into something that they have a passion and a love for."
Prior to the hunt, the Georgia NWTF State Chapter hosted a fundraising banquet to raise money to help offset some of the costs of the event. For example, the chapter was able to provide multiple track chairs for participating hunters who needed them.
The chapter has already been hard at work planning the second annual Beards for Benefit Wheelin’ Hunt with their fundraising banquet scheduled for early March. At this year’s event, they are hoping to introduce a scholarship program for the youth attendees.
“Creating fun and engaging events helps the NWTF welcome people of all backgrounds into our hunting heritage,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “It is through our dedicated volunteers who help lead our Education and Outreach events that we are so successful. We are proud to honor the Georgia State Chapter for its Beards for Benefit Wheelin’ Hunt event.”
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to deliver healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues to unite a nation through the life-changing power of the outdoors.