The Cass County Chapter of Pheasants Forever will host its 15th annual banquet Aug. 24 at the Edwardsburg American Legion.

This annual fundraising banquet typically raises $5,000 to help area wildlife. Social hour is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. with dinner being served at 7 p.m.

The auction is scheduled to begin at 8.

The banquet raises funds that help the Cass County Chapter purchase prairie grass seed to restore native habitat for pheasants, as well as other wildlife. According to Curt Johnson, chapter president, last year the organization distributed hundreds of pounds of seed for good plots. In past planting seasons, the chapter has supplied seed for and planted 32 acres of prairie grass, switch grass, wild flowers and nesting cover.

In addition, the Cass County Chapter sponsors a youth pheasant hunt for 20 youngsters who graduated from hunter safety classes. They also sponsor a scholarship to Southwestern Michigan College for students studying in the natural science field.

Tickets are sold in advance only and are not available at the door. Tickets for the annual banquet are $25 for adults and $20 for children under 15, which include a Ringneck youth membership in Pheasants Forever. For $125, attendees get a banquet ticket and $150 worth of bucket tickets.

“We have a sponsorship package for $250 that includes one membership, two dinners and participation in the sponsorship gun raffle, $100 in raffle tickets, a gift and sponsorship advertising,” Johnson said.

Memberships in Pheasants Forever are $35 for adults.