The 10th Annual Clays for a Cause event, presented by St. Johns County homebuilder, MasterCraft Builder Group, was held on December 8, 2022, 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. The largest to date, the 10th Annual Clays for a Cause raised $285,000 for multiple North Florida charities, including Seamark Ranch, St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS), Alpha-Omega Miracle Home, Rethreaded, HorsePlay Therapy Center, Investing in Kids (INK!), The Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam, Port in the Storm, Top Shots, Builders Care, and Kids Safe Zone – bringing the 10-year total to more than $1.1 million.
“Every year, this event grows in both participants and in how much we are able to raise for some very deserving local nonprofits – 34 in total over the past ten years,” said MasterCraft Builder Group CEO and Founder Chris Shee. “Some of the companies and businesses that are here today have been supporting Clays for a Cause since the very beginning, more than a decade ago. This event gives back to our community, and the generosity of our sponsors blows me away time and time again.”
Since its conception, Clays for a Cause has raised more than $1.1 million for charities throughout Northeast Florida. For example, Investing in Kids (INK!) is a local nonprofit that helps fund projects for students and teachers throughout St. Johns County. In addition, Port in the Storm is a safe place off the streets for homeless/unaccompanied youth in crisis. At the same time, St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS) shapes the future of at-risk youth by providing coaching, counseling, and care in family-style therapeutic group homes and outpatient community services.
“There’s no one like Chris Shee,” explained Lisa Franklin, CEO and Founder of Alpha-Omega Miracle Home, who was given a check for $25,000 at this year’s event. “He is a ‘hand to the plow’ type of leader and giver with an incredible dedication to this community. The money that we receive each year from Clays for a Cause allows us to provide housing, counseling, and education for single mothers, their children, and senior women facing homelessness.”
