NAHANT — The Lions Club of Nahant will be hosting its annual “turkey shoot” next Saturday,  Nov. 23, to help inject a little holiday spirit and raise support for eye disease research.

The event will be held at the Nahant Department of Public Works yard on Flash Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community members who participate will get the chance to shoot paper targets with BB guns. According to the press release, the cost of a target will be $3.

“The event is entering its fifth decade, and this is one of our most loved events,” said Lions Club President Timothy Bell. 

“In the past, we once had a retired Nahant police chief show a kid how to properly handle and fire a BB-gun,” Bell recalled, calling it one of his favorite memories from the event in the past. “That’s the type of thing I love to see, when kids come and enjoy themselves and learn in the process.”

“I think it’s an important beginning for kids to learn how to properly handle BB-guns, especially when it’s clear they don’t have many other chances.”

Thanksgiving turkeys will be handed out to the sharp-shooter with the highest score within each group, the press release stated.

For participants who would prefer an alternative way of taking home a Thanksgiving turkey, the Lions Club will also be offering the chance to buy raffle tickets of varying prices: the raffles will cost $5 each, but community members can also purchase five tickets for $20. Targets can also be purchased in groups of four at $10.

The turkeys will be donated by members of the Lions Club and local businesses. The funds from the event will be going towards raising money for the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund.

“We thank all that donate to the cause,” Bell said. “We couldn’t do this without you.”