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Spring has sprung, and that means turkey season is right behind. With youth season set to begin this weekend, and the full season beginning the following weekend, that means it’s also time for this year’s Beards for Benefits hunts, which pair disabled children with veterans on turkey hunts. The organization hosted its annual banquet on Saturday, March 15, at founder Klay “Pudoo” Armstrong’s property, complete with food, auctions, and raffles.

Armstrong spoke with the Post-Searchlight about this year’s events, which will pair 15 disabled children, most of whom are new to B4B, with 15 veterans. Items auctioned and raffled off at the banquet included firearms from Henry Repeating Arms, Taurus, and Ruger, as well as a deep-sea fishing trip, and a hunting trip to Africa. This year’s banquet had roughly 380 in attendance, and raised roughly $150,000, which is used to support the children, be that by purchasing specialized wheelchairs or equipment they may need, or even helping out with home remodeling.

“Whoever needs help on whatever, we don’t care,” Armstrong said, “trucks, cars, guns, whatever it takes to make life better for them, just let us know… we don’t wanna get paid. We want to give back.”

“I just want to thank all my volunteers and my sponsors, and thank the landowners,” Armstrong said, “and God bless these veterans. Without them, nobody could do anything.”