More Than a Clay Shoot: Sunrise Rotary Raises Funds That Stay in the Community

Every fundraiser has a purpose. For the Oakhurst Sunrise Rotary Club, that purpose can be measured in college scholarships, assistance for local families facing hardship and support for local law enforcement.

That’s why members of the club are inviting the public to participate in the second annual Sunrise on the Mountain Clay Shoot on Saturday, Sept. 26. While the sporting event promises a day of friendly competition, organizers say the real goal is raising money that is reinvested throughout the mountain communities.

According to Sunrise Rotary representative Karina Bulow-Brown, proceeds from the fundraiser help support several local initiatives, including scholarships for area high school students, assistance for families in need and projects benefiting the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.

Bulow-Brown said families receiving assistance are identified through a local law office that works directly with residents facing difficult circumstances, helping ensure Rotary’s support reaches those with immediate and tangible needs.

The club has also partnered with the Madera County Sheriff’s Foundation to help provide equipment and training for the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit. According to Bulow-Brown, Sunrise Rotary has helped fund K-9 Canello, a competition-grade bite suit used for training, K-9 training opportunities and five new electronic collars for the department’s K-9 team.

Those projects represent just a portion of what the volunteer organization does each year.

Part of Rotary International, the Oakhurst Sunrise Rotary Club follows the organization’s long-standing motto, “Service Above Self.” While Rotary clubs around the world are known for supporting humanitarian efforts such as disease eradication, clean water projects and disaster relief, local clubs focus much of their energy on meeting the needs of the communities they serve.

For Oakhurst Sunrise Rotary, that means investing in local students, helping neighbors during difficult times and supporting organizations that make the mountain communities stronger.

Much of that work is made possible through fundraisers like the upcoming clay shoot.

The second annual Sunrise on the Mountain Clay Shoot will be held at Sun Mountain Gun Club in Coarsegold on Saturday, Sept. 26. Check-in begins at 8 a.m., followed by a safety briefing at 8:45 a.m. Shooting begins at 9 a.m., with lunch and awards scheduled for approximately noon. The event is open to participants 18 and older.

Teams consist of six shooters, although individuals are also welcome and will be combined into squads as needed. Registration is $150 per shooter and includes a light breakfast, lunch, a goodie bag, 100 sporting clay targets, prizes and raffle opportunities. Participants must provide their own shotgun and at least 100 shotgun shells. Separate award divisions recognize overall individual and team champions, first responders and military competitors, women’s high score and low score overall.

Businesses and individuals can also support the fundraiser through sponsorship opportunities ranging from $100 station sponsorships to $2,000 Winchester sponsorships, with proceeds helping fund Sunrise Rotary’s charitable work throughout the year. Sponsorship logos and payments are due by Sept. 12, while registration closes Sept. 19.

Whether the proceeds help a graduating senior pursue college, provide assistance to a local family facing unexpected hardship or equip the Sheriff’s K-9 team with tools and training, organizers say every registration and sponsorship helps strengthen the mountain communities Sunrise Rotary has served for years.

For more information or to register a team, contact Jennifer Casey at (559) 760-8478 or jennifercasey@outlook.com.