EAU CLAIRE — Boys and girls from Nevin’s Hunting Friends went turkey hunting April 23 as part of the organization’s annual youth turkey hunt.

“Today was a successful day at our annual youth turkey hunt,” said Daniel Burns, the group’s organizer. “Two youth hunters harvested their first turkey of their own and many memories and friendships were made.”

Two young hunters, Ethan McGrady, 12, of Karns City and Christian Tumminello, 12, of Mars took birds home with them. Ethan shot a jake, a young male turkey, and Christian shot a gobbler, a fully-matured male turkey.

For both boys, it was their first harvested turkey.

The organization offers the chance and the assistance for physically handicapped children to hunt.

Burns started the organization to give his son Nevin, who suffers from juvenile arthritis, and other children like him the chance to get outdoors without being limited by their disability.

He said there were 11 youth hunters, 11 mentors and 11 guides who participated. He also recruited 11 cameramen and 21 other volunteers to help.

Darcy Tumminello, Christian’s mother, posted on the group’s Facebook page, thanking the volunteers, sponsors and Burns and his family for their work on the event.

Burns said he is always accepting more hunters and volunteers.

Anyone who wants to sponsor a youth or volunteer can e-mail djburns40@yahoo.com or donate by visiting the organization’s GoFundMe page.