Jim Davidson Annual Clay Day 2023 Recap

Davidson Cares hosted its wildly successful Jim Davidson’s Annual Clay Day fundraiser on Thursday, October 19, at Jacksonville Clay Target Sports. This charity event boomed back for its eighth year, raising $150,000 for local organizations that assist youth and Veterans in the community. This year’s event brings Davidson Cares’ charitable fundraising total to almost three-quarters of a million dollars. The event was made possible by title sponsors The Hutson Companies, Iventure, Providence Homes and Riverside Homes, 12-gauge sponsors Bird Dog, Matthews Design Group, Vallencourt, MasterCraft, Watson Civil, ECS, Bozard Ford, Sherwin Williams and many more.

“Our incredible shooters and sponsors really helped us turn it out this year,” shares Sherry Davidson, president of Davidson Cares. “I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished over the last eight years. Each Clay Day gets better and better. This year, our fundraising efforts exceeded our expectations enough that we were able to assist an eighth organization. The non-profits that we support are really the lifeblood of our community. They are the helpers our most precious populations turn to in times of need. How amazing that we’re able to show them support in return!”

The Jim Davidson Annual Clay Day fundraiser awarded donations to eight local charities:

St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS) is a non-profit organization that serves at-risk youth through various programs, including coaching, counseling and care in family-style therapeutic group homes and outpatient community services. Opened in 1989 in downtown St. Augustine, SAYS now serves three counties: St. Johns, Flagler and Putnam. SAYS received $20,000.

Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida that provides a unique opportunity for deserving, low-income youth to escape the cycle of poverty through education. They offer underserved students one-on-one support through mentorship, college success services and college scholarships. Take Stock in Children received three fully-funded scholarships, awarded on behalf of The Hutson Companies, Iventure and MasterCraft Builder Group.

Builders Care is a faith-based nonprofit construction contractor that provides affordable to no-cost construction services to the elderly, disabled and other nonprofits in Northeast Florida to build a better habitat for all. Builders Care was founded in 2001 and, to date, has rehabilitated over 600 homes and provided $6.5 million in construction assistance. Builders Care received $50,000.

Port in the Storm Homeless Youth Center assists one of the region’s most vulnerable populations, homeless youth. Port in the Storm is a safe place off the streets for homeless/unaccompanied youth in crisis. Caring adults provide stability, hope and a path to a successful future through Positive Youth Development programming. The Center offers day drop-in assistance with basic needs, life and job skills, housing assistance and more. They also have 16 beds for unsheltered youth needing a safe space. Port in the Storm received $20,000.

Hope is Restored is a faith-inspired organization that rehabilitates and empowers survivors of human trafficking and enslavement. They work in the community to raise situational awareness, victim recognition and overall understanding of the dangers of human trafficking. Hope is Restored focuses on four pillars: awareness, education, rescue and restoration. Hope is Restored received $20,000.

Homes for Hope works locally to attack poverty globally. By working with building partners throughout the United States and Canada, Homes for Hope has built a North American network of industry professionals who work together to construct and sell homes to raise funds to fight poverty. Homes for Hope received $13,000.

Five Star Veterans Center honors the sacrifice of the country’s combat heroes by providing the services and support they need to return to and succeed in civilian life. The center is a stable place where Veterans can reside and receive 24-hour mental health assistance, working towards healing and peace. Five Star Veterans Center received $10,000.

Community Hospice & Palliative Care is a national leader in palliative and hospice care, as well as providing programs and services to meet the diverse needs of northeast Florida. The organization helps approximately 1,500 patients per day to live better with advanced illness and is committed to improving the quality of life for patients and their families. No one is ever denied care due to an inability to pay. Community Hospice provided Jim and The Davidson Family with compassionate care. Community Hospice & Palliative Care received $5,000.

Davidson Cares Clay Day was renamed Jim Davidson’s Annual Clay Day after the recent passing of the Davidson family’s patriarch. “It was really important to us that we select charities that honored Jim’s memory,” says Davidson. “Every single one of these organizations represents a cause that was very meaningful to us. He truly wanted to improve his community and make it a better place for everyone. That’s what we’ll continue to do through Davidson Cares and in Jim’s name.”