When people hear "sporting clays fundraiser," they probably picture a day of shooting, maybe some raffles, and folks having a good time outdoors. And yeah, that's all part of it. But the Noah's Army Sporting Clays Fundraiser? It's so much more than that.
This isn't just another nonprofit fundraising event idea we pulled out of thin air. It's the heartbeat of what we do. It's how we keep Noah's dream alive, the one where he was already walking toward the Sheriff's academy, where he saw himself serving as a law enforcement officer in Polk County, patrolling the Tetons and Yellowstone with the Cody Mounted Police in Wyoming, and one day wearing the badge of a U.S. Marshal.
He didn't get to finish that journey. But we're making sure his legacy of serving others never stops.
Why Sporting Clays? Why This Event?
Honestly, when we started thinking about how to fund the foundation's work, we wanted something that brought people together. Something active. Something that fit who you were, Noah… someone who loved being outdoors, who believed in hard work and skill, and who valued community.
And I need to say this clearly, because people sometimes assume you were just a fan of the sport: you were a competitive sporting clays shooter. You didn’t just like it… you trained for it, you chased the clean runs, you cared about getting better, and you lived for that moment when everything clicked.
That’s why we hold this fundraiser in your honor. Because this was one of your favorite things to do.
Sporting clays fit perfectly. It’s challenging, it’s engaging, and it gives people a reason to gather for something bigger than themselves. Plus, it attracts the exact crowd we want to connect with, law enforcement officers, first responders, families who value service, and community members who want to make a difference right here in Polk County.
Our sporting clays charity event has become the way we raise funds to support scholarships for future law enforcement officers and provide assistance to first responders who serve our community every single day. And we're proud to say that every single dollar raised stays local. It goes to Noah's Army Foundation programs and to Polk Sheriff's Charities, organizations with complete transparency about where the money goes and who it helps.
More Than Just Shooting Clays
The tournament itself is a 50-clay event, and yeah, there's some friendly competition involved. But that's only part of the story.
Because when you're out there and you hear it… that sharp little ping when a target gets smoked? It hits me in the chest sometimes. It’s weird and painful and yet ironically comforting, because that sound is tied up with you, Noah. It’s the closest thing to your laughter I can grab onto in the middle of all this. That ping… your grin… your passion… it all runs together for a second and I’m right back there with you.
And when someone joins the event, I want them to feel that too. Like they’re stepping into one of your favorite hobbies for the day. Like they’re borrowing a piece of what you loved, even if they never met you. The rhythm of the course, the focus, the jokes at the stations, the shoulder taps and “nice shot” from somebody you barely know… that was you. That’s us keeping you present.
We've built the event to include raffles, auctions, and other ways for people to support the cause, even if they're not comfortable with a shotgun or can't make it to the range that day. Because the mission isn't about who's the best shot. It's about rallying together to honor Noah and continue the work he started just by living his life the way he did.
You don't have to be a competitive shooter to participate. You don't even have to shoot at all. You can sponsor a team, donate raffle items, bid on auction packages, or just show up to be part of the community that's keeping Noah's legacy alive. That's what makes this different from your typical sporting clays fundraiser.
The 6th Annual Event: February 28, 2026
This year's event, the 6th Noah Jeffries Memorial Clays Event, is happening on February 28, 2026, at the FWC Tenoroc Range in Lakeland, Florida. It's hard to believe we're already six years into this. Some days it feels like yesterday that we lost him, and other days it feels like we've been doing this work forever.
But every year, the event grows. More people show up. More funds are raised. More scholarships are awarded. More first responders get the support they need. And that's exactly what Noah would've wanted, his life making a real, tangible difference for the people who dedicate themselves to protecting and serving others.
The Tenoroc Range has become like a second home to us. The staff there gets what we're doing, and they've been incredible partners in making this event a success year after year. If you've never been, it's a beautiful facility, and it's the perfect backdrop for a day that's equal parts remembrance, celebration, and community action.
Who Benefits From This Fundraiser?
Let's talk about where the money actually goes, because that matters. A lot.
Law Enforcement Scholarships: Noah was on his way to the Sheriff's academy when he died. He was so excited about that path, about following in the footsteps of officers he admired, about serving his community, about one day working his way up to becoming a U.S. Marshal. We want to help other young people who have that same calling. The scholarships we provide through funds raised at this sporting clays charity event help cover academy costs, training expenses, and educational programs for future law enforcement officers right here in Polk County.
First Responder Support: The men and women who run toward danger when everyone else is running away, they need our support. Whether it's emergency assistance for officers or deputies facing financial hardship, funding for equipment that departments can't afford, or just showing up to say "we see you, we appreciate you, and we've got your back", that's what Noah's Army does. And this fundraiser is how we make it happen.
Polk Sheriff's Charities: We're proud partners with Polk Sheriff's Charities, an organization that's completely transparent about their mission to support law enforcement and the community. When we direct funds their way, we know it's going exactly where it needs to go, to serve the people who serve us.
Everything stays local. Everything stays in Polk County. Because that's where Noah lived, where he planned to serve, and where his legacy continues.
It's Not Just About the Day of the Event
Here's something people don't always realize, the impact of this sporting clays fundraiser extends way beyond that one day in February.
The planning, the outreach, the conversations we have with sponsors and participants… it all keeps Noah's story alive. It keeps the conversation going about why supporting first responders matters. It reminds people that law enforcement officers are real humans with families and dreams and challenges, and they deserve our respect and our support.
And for us? It gives us purpose. It gives us a way to channel the grief and the pain into something constructive. Something Noah would be proud of.
I won't lie and say it's easy. There are moments during the planning when it hits me all over again, he should be here. He should be competing in this tournament, not being honored by it. But then I remember that this is exactly what he would've wanted. Noah lived his life for everyone around him. He was always the first to help, the first to volunteer, the first to put someone else's needs ahead of his own.
So yeah, this fundraiser? It's painful and beautiful and necessary all at once.
How You Can Be Part of It
Whether you're an experienced shooter looking for a meaningful sporting clays charity event, a business owner wanting to make an impact through sponsorship, or just someone who believes in supporting law enforcement and first responders: there's a place for you at this event.
Participate: Sign up to shoot. Bring a team. Test your skills on the course and know that every registration fee goes directly toward scholarships and first responder support.
Sponsor: Businesses and individuals can sponsor the event at various levels. Your support makes the day possible and shows the community that you stand with law enforcement.
Donate: Can't make it to the range? You can still contribute through raffle item donations, auction packages, or direct contributions to Noah's Army Foundation. We accept CashApp and PayPal for those who want to support the mission but can't attend the physical event.
Spread the Word: Talk about it. Share it. Invite people. The more people who know about Noah's story and the work we're doing, the bigger impact we can make together.
Looking Forward
As we gear up for the 6th annual event, I'm filled with gratitude. Gratitude for every single person who's shown up over the years. Gratitude for the sponsors who make it financially possible. Gratitude for the Tenoroc Range staff who support us. Gratitude for Polk Sheriff's Charities and their partnership. And gratitude for the community that's embraced Noah's Army as their own.
This sporting clays fundraiser has become something bigger than we ever imagined when we started. It's become a gathering point for people who believe in service, who honor sacrifice, and who want to invest in the next generation of law enforcement officers who'll protect our community.
Noah wanted to serve with the Cody Mounted Police in the Tetons, protecting one of America's most beautiful landscapes. He wanted to become a U.S. Marshal, upholding justice at the highest level. He didn't get to do those things. But through this event, through the scholarships we award, through the first responders we support: his service continues.
That's what this is really about. Not the tournament. Not the competition. Not even the fundraising, though that's incredibly important.
It's about keeping a promise to a young man who gave everything he had to everyone around him. It's about making sure his legacy of service lives on.
Join us on February 28, 2026, at FWC Tenoroc Range in Lakeland, Florida. Let's honor Noah together. Let's support our first responders together. Let's build a stronger, safer community together.
For more information and to register, visit noahsarmyfoundation.org.
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