The Botetourt Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) invites those interested in supporting hunting heritage, youth and women’s programs, the chapter’s food pantry contributions, scholarships and other activities to its annual banquet and auction.
The banquet is Saturday, March 18 at Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville.
There will be a variety of games and live and silent auctions for a number of wildlife prints, hunting gear, sculptures, furniture and other outdoor art. There also will be a special youth auction, door prizes and chances to win other items.
Tickets that include NWTF membership are $55 for individuals and $75 for couples. Youth tickets (17 and under) are $25, which includes a NWTF JAKES or Extreme JAKES membership. Individual sponsor tickets are $265 ($280 for a couples sponsor ticket) and include a special sponsor packet.
Meal-only tickets are $25 each.
The banquet helps the Longbeards fund the various projects it supports throughout the year—its annual JAKES Event for youth, the Botetourt Children’s Fishing Carnival, two scholarships that are awarded to James River and Lord Botetourt High School seniors, the Turkey Hunters Care program when the chapter provides Thanksgiving turkeys to the county’s food pantries, Women in the Outdoors Event, Wheelin’ Sportsmen’s Deer Hunt, Botetourt Quail Quilt Initiative and other outdoor activities.
The fundraiser also supports habitat projects on national forest, wildlife management and private land in Virginia and discounts for members on many habitat products. This past year, the chapter facilitated acquiring another $5,000 in matching dollars for habitat improvement on the Short Hill Wildlife Management Area because of the banquet.
Banquet tickets are available from any Longbeards member, by calling Ned Honts at 540-580-3115, Richard Pauley at 540-254-2564, Ed McCoy at 540-339-0622 and by emailing
botetourtlongbeards@gmail.com. Information is also available on the Longbeards’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BotetourtLongbeards.
Banquet seating is limited, although some tickets may be available at the door.
