03/09/2010
All Aboard: Every Ohio County now has NWTF Presence
PAULDING COUNTY, Ohio — History will be made April 10 in Antwerp, Ohio, when the National Wild Turkey Federation's newest Ohio chapter, the Flat Rock Limbhangers, host their first fundraising banquet.
Once Paulding County's outdoor enthusiasts gather for the banquet, every county in Ohio will have an NWTF chapter that supports conservation and our hunting heritage.
"This will be a great moment for Ohio and the NWTF," said Skip Markland, NWTF regional director for Ohio. "People love wild turkeys, conservation and our hunting heritage in the Buckeye State. They show their dedication to the outdoors through their fantastic support of the NWTF."
Funds raised at the banquet will go directly to the NWTF's conservation and outreach programs. Since 1985 more than $3.5 million has been raised and spent by Ohio's NWTF chapters on projects within the state.
"We're excited about hosting our first banquet," said Jon Ringler, president of the Flat Rock Limbhangers Chapter. "Right now our committee has five members and we are looking forward to getting more people involved with the NWTF in our area. It starts at our upcoming banquet."
The Flat Rock Limbhangers Chapter Banquet will be held at Grant's Reception Hall, located at 503 East Canal St. The evening of fun will include dinner and both live and silent auctions featuring guns, wildlife art, home decor and more.
Banquet doors open at 6 p.m., and single tickets cost $50, couple tickets cost $70 and sponsorship tickets cost $255. For youth ages 17 and under, tickets are $20 and include a JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) or Xtreme JAKES membership. All adult tickets include entry into all door prizes, an NWTF membership and a one-year subscription to Turkey Country magazine.
For tickets to the Flat Rock Limbhangers Chapter Banquet, contact Jon Ringler at (419) 796-9472 or email Skip Markland at wmarkland@nwtf.net.
Funding for NWTF conservation projects and outreach programs in Ohio would not be possible without the Federation's dedicated volunteers and successful local fundraising events like the upcoming one in Antwerp.
Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.
The Federation also works to increase interest in the outdoors by bringing new hunters and conservationists into the fold through outdoor education events and its outreach programs - Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin' Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES.
For more information about the NWTF visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF.
