The Friendswood ISD Education Foundation (FEF) hosted its annual Sporting Clays Tournament on Friday, Oct. 7 at the Greater Houston Gun Club. Clays were not the only things broken at this year’s event as the Foundation welcomed over 250 guests and raised a record-breaking $105,000+.
With 61 teams entered, the event brought in new sponsors and supporters from across the community.
“It was great seeing so many new faces and building meaningful relationships all while raising funds for FISD,” Event Chair and FEF Director Nick Gaido said.
FEF attributes the growth of the event to several areas including cultivating relationships with existing partners while also expanding the event’s sponsorship opportunities to bring in new supporters.
“From humble beginnings…seven teams at the very first shoot seven years ago, to 61 teams this year,” FEF Director and Home Bank Senior Vice President Kenny Koncaba said. “Home Bank, along with our good friends at Texas Mutual Insurance, is honored to be the Co-Sponsor of what is now the premier Shooting Clays event in the Houston Area.”
In addition to the tournament, participants enjoyed lunch underwritten by Banfield Properties, games like Gun Powder Golf and a team flurry sponsored by Veratex Gas Group.
More than 660 raffle tickets were sold and three lucky winners went home with a Traeger, Blackstone and Yeti cooler donated by Magnuson Ace Hardware.
A squares board enticed guests to purchase $100 squares for a chance at winning one of two Orvis-endorsed hunting trips donated by Castle Valley Outdoors in Utah and Southwind Plantation in Georgia.
Following the shoot, participants enjoyed an ice-cold beverage provided by Karbach Brewery. Commemorative Yetis sponsored by Universal Plant Services were awarded to the top three teams, last place team, team flurry champions and Gun Powder Golf winner.
FEF Executive Director Ashley Adair said the event’s energy, momentum and continued growth is “truly remarkable.”
“Our Sporting Clays Committee continues to dream big for this event,” Adair said. “It’s such a great afternoon that brings our community together around a common purpose of furthering FEF’s mission for FISD students and teachers.”
All funds raised from the event will support the Foundation’s mission of supporting and enhancing FISD by providing innovative and engaging learning opportunities for all students through meaningful relationships.
Top event sponsors and underwriters included Home Bank, Texas Mutual Insurance, Karbach Brewery, Reactor Resources, Universal Plant Services, Veritex Gas Group, Magnuson Ace Hardware, Banfield Properties, Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union, Kinsey Management and Stanfield Properties.
Pictured: McRee Ford Sporting Clays team photo from left to right is John Barber, Brad Freyer, Jay Jenkins and Dain Crow.
