Sussex County YMCA Hosts Inaugural Sporting Clays

HARDYSTON, NJ - The Sussex County YMCA is thrilled to announce the success of its first Sporting Clays fundraising event, held at the picturesque Hudson Farm Club in Andover on Oct. 28. The event raised a net total of $63,000 to help reduce the cost of Y programs for children, families, and adults in the community.

More than 50 people attended the event, which featured a variety of outdoor activities, networking, and fundraising. The day began with a welcome luncheon, ceremonial cannon firing and shooting lesson, followed by the sporting clays tournament, a cocktail reception, dinner and live auction. Participants ranged from novice shooters to experienced enthusiasts, all united in their mission to support the Y’s efforts to ensure that everyone has access to its vital programs and services.  “Thanks to the generosity of our participants, sponsors, and donors, we surpassed our fundraising goal for this event, making it possible for even more families to benefit from our programs,” said Dan Elwell, Chief Development Officer at the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, which includes the Sussex County Y. “We look forward to leveraging this success and establishing the Sporting Clays Tournament as an annual tradition!”

Sporting Clays raises money for the Y’s Annual Support Campaign and will be used to help individuals and families who qualify for assistance in paying for Y programs or memberships. The Sussex County Y provides financial assistance to an average of one in four children in summer camps, one in seven children in its before and after school child care programs. 

The event was sponsored by Vericon Construction, S2C Contracting, Optimum, The Dale Group Insurance and Bonds, Donald J. Parks Inc., HQW Architects, Lakeside Construction Inc., Peapack Gladstone Bank, WorkDynamx, RoNetco Supermarkets, Wallkill Group, and The Hudson Farm Foundation.

The Metro YMCA has set an ambitious goal of raising $3 million through its 2025 Annual Support Campaign. Funds raised will help more than 6,500 individuals access vital programs like child care, summer camp, and swim lessons, regardless of financial circumstances. To learn more about the Y’s Financial Assistance Program, visit metroymcas.org.