By Charlotte Underwood    

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The Pine Mountain Longbeards chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation held its annual banquet fundraiser at the Ball Event Center on Thursday evening. The event is held each year to raise funds to be used for local youth events in the county, as well as conservation efforts. 

Veterans and first responders were honored with pins at the annual Pine Mountain Longbeards banquet on Thursday.

Tons of items, guns and packages were raffled or auctioned off at the event.

The annual banquet is the Pine Mountain Longbeard’s main fundraiser of the year.

Jamie Wright, left, and Billy Ball. Wright won a gun at Thursday’s Pine Mountain Longbeards Banquet and fundraiser.

Funds raised will contribute to conservation in the county as well as youth events such as the chapter’s annual Jake’s Day and the distribution of Turkey Hunters Care Food boxes at the holidays.

Chapter vice president Terry Lewis said they had a good turnout and that he “appreciated the support of the community for stepping up to give back to the kids, the community and conservation.” 

“This event gives us an opportunity for conservation and to come together to celebrate the resource and raise funds to perpetuate that resource,” Lewis said.

The Pine Mountain Longbeards is the largest NWTF chapter in Tennessee. In January of this year, the chapter was presented with the One Million Dollar Award for raising more than $1 million dollars in Tennessee for conservation of the wild turkey. The chapter has also won numerous national awards for outreach events.

A non-profit organization, Pine Mountain Longbeards hosts multiple events throughout the year and provides local scholarships for students. Some events include the Wounded Warriors turkey hunt plus the Turkey Hunters Care Food box distribution at the holidays. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/17/2022-6AM)

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