Village receives holiday meals from NWTF

By By Mike Giles / outdoors writer
Jan. 2, 2003
Thanks to the National Wild Turkey Federation's local chapter, the children at Hope Village enjoyed scrumptious meals of turkey with all of the trimmings during the recent Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. According to Tina Dyess, of Hope Village, it is home to approximately 32 children ranging from newborn to older teenagers. Caring for that many children takes a lot of time, effort and money.
Hope Village receives some funds from the government but requires approximately 50 per cent of their budget from private donations. Sela Ward has been a spokesperson for the village and has done tremendous work in helping to raise awareness of the children's plight as well as helping to raise the needed funds to support the continued operations of the Village. With this in mind, the members of the local NWTF chapter got involved by donating the holiday meals.
The NWTF was founded for the conservation and preservation of wild turkeys all over the country and its efforts has been a big part in one of the biggest success stories involving wildlife that this country has ever known. Even with constantly expanding urban sprawl and dwindling habitat, the wild turkey has now become so prolific that turkey numbers are at or near record highs across the nation.
Hunting preservation
The NWTF is more than just about wild turkeys however. They have now expanded their organization to reach the youth, women, and handicapped through their JAKES, Women in the Outdoors and Wheelin Sportsmen programs. Of course all of these organizations are geared towards preserving our rights to fish and hunt by promoting, teaching, and introducing new people to the outdoors.
Also its Hunting Heritage program is designed to get more people involved in preserving the rights of hunters throughout the country. That is one of the reasons that they have begun community outreach programs to help meet any needs that may arise in the local communities. Their new outreach program is titled Turkey Hunters Care and was designed to facilitate hunters giving back to their local community.
Local projects
In addition to donating meals to various organizations, the NWTF also gives back to the state's outdoorsmen and women through seed subsidies, reforestation programs, and the purchase of equipment for the state's wildlife management areas for planting and habitat improvement.
And just where does this money come from you might ask? Each chapter in the state has banquets where money is raised through donations, auctions and meals. Many of the local turkey hunters are concerned with more than just hunting. They also want to give back to the local communities in any way they can. Without the reciprocating support of the local community, the NWTF wouldn't be here either.
During a recent meeting with Bobby Wilder, Gary Barber and Wayne Adams, it was evident that these outdoorsmen have a love for not only the outdoors but for helping people as well. Even with help from dedicated people such as these, there is always a need for more help. If you want to know more about the NWTF or want to get involved in any way, contact Gary Barber at 482-1396.