The 12th Annual Clays for a Cause event, presented by St. Johns County homebuilder MasterCraft Builder Group, was held Dec. 5 at Saltwaters Shooting Club in St. Augustine. The event brought together members of the local construction community and the general public for a day of clay shooting and raising money for area nonprofits.
Now the world’s largest charity sporting clay tournament, the 12th Annual Clays for a Cause raised $360,000 for 15 Northeast Florida charities, bringing the 12-year total to more than $1.85 million.
“Every year, I continue to be blown away at the amount of money raised for our local community,” said Chris Shee, MasterCraft Builder Group founder. “I keep thinking there’s no way we’ll top last year’s number, yet it continues to happen. The generosity of those who contribute is overwhelming. This idea we had 12 years ago to do something fun and raise a little money has now grown into a huge event that blesses many of our local nonprofits in need.”
Since its conception, Clays for a Cause has raised more than $1.85 million for 39 charities throughout Northeast Florida. The $50,000 donation gifted to the St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS) will help build an independent living village for youth aging out of foster care, a dream project that is finally becoming reality.
This year’s beneficiaries include:
“Chris Shee and MasterCraft Builder Group do such an amazing job bringing the community together to make a tremendous impact while having a great time,” said Nathan Stanley, executive director of Seamark Ranch. “Thanks to the generosity of everyone involved with Clays for a Cause, Seamark Ranch can continue helping kids and families in crisis experience healing and transformation. To say we are grateful would be the understatement of the century; nevertheless, thank you so very much to everyone who made this event such a huge success!”
Lisa Franklin, founder and CEO of Alpha-Omega Miracle Home (AOMH), added, “We are so grateful for Chris Shee and all of the Clays for a Cause participants who gave so generously to AOMH. The funds raised will help us expand our capacity to build a better tomorrow for over 100 more women and children who face homelessness in our community. Chris Shee's heart and commitment to helping the most vulnerable are truly extraordinary.”
