The Cross Trail Outfitters (CTO) Buffalo River Arkansas Chapter will host its annual fundraising banquet this Saturday, with proceeds going toward the organization’s youth programs. The event is set to take place at the Twin Lakes Baptist Church Hope Center in Mountain Home. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., and activities are scheduled from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
CTO is a faith-based organization focused on mentoring boys aged 9 to 17 through outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, and canoeing. According to Duane Hada, state director for CTO, the program's mission is to help young people build life skills and foster personal growth through meaningful experiences in nature.
The banquet will feature a meal, presentations by program participants, bucket raffles, and live auctions. Items up for auction include outdoor equipment, gift cards to restaurants, guided trips, and more. Additionally, the popular pie auction returns this year after significant success in 2022.
Hada emphasized that the funds raised will directly support summer camps and other hands-on outdoor adventures. He noted that the program aims to provide a space for boys to develop skills and form relationships without the distractions of modern life. "We’ve heard some very rewarding compliments about the impact this program has had on participants," Hada shared.
The event will also serve as an opportunity for community members to learn more about the organization and explore ways to get involved, whether through donations or volunteering.
For further details, visit the Cross Trail Outfitters website or social media pages.