The 23^rd Candler Clays Charity Shoot and Auction smashed fund-raising records and cancer patients in our region will benefit.

The charity shoot and auction raised $307,288 this year. All funds raised during the two-day event go to St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations’ Advancements in Cancer Care initiatives in Savannah, Bluffton, Hilton Head and southeast Georgia.

Not only did the event raise a record amount this year, but $134,150 of that was specifically raised for oncology nurse navigation at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion at St. Joseph’s/Candler. Navigators help provide patients and their families with guidance, education, resources and advocacy during a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

“This was an amazing show of support and I want to thank everyone who participated in and helped sponsor this year’s Candler Clays,” said Paul P. Hinchey, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler. “These funds will help give more people access to the latest cancer treatments and support the important work of our Nurse Navigators in helping patients through their cancer journey. This success shows that people in our community care about their neighbors and are willing to help support programs like ours that directly benefit the community.”  

Candler Clays is an event combining a charity auction of items donated by local merchants and a clay shooting competition at the Forest City Gun Club. Since its inception two decades ago, the Clays event has raised $2.7 million for the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion. 

This year’s Candler Clays had many generous sponsors including the returning presenting sponsor JE Dunn Construction, the Mingledorff Family as platinum sponsor and Batson Associates as gold sponsor. The event was co-chaired by Emily Cameron and Raymond Singletary.

“We are so grateful to our many loyal, dedicated sponsors and participants that are involved each year,” said Vernice Rackett, Executive Director of the St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations. “Additionally, the Candler Clays Committee and all volunteers should be recognized for their hours of hard work to embrace this mission.”

Each year the event is held in memory or in honor of a cancer patient. This year’s honoree was Ellen Harper Williams, a survivor of Stage 3B cervical cancer.

“Unfortunately, at some point, most people will know someone or they themselves will be touched by cancer,” Williams said at the Clays event. “But for our community we are so lucky to have the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion.  This state of the art facility along with its incredible doctors, nurses, staff and administrators work together to provide phenomenal care to their patients.”

Clay Shoot Winners:

•                    Top Male: Dale Bouchillon – 50 (won in a shootout with Douglas Williams)

•                    Top Female: Landyn Fries – 43

•                    Top Male Youth: Walker Peters – 50

•                    Top Female Youth: Landyn Fries – 43 Note: Landyn Fries was both the highest youth female and overall female.

•                    1st place team: Sponsored by Anne and Jimmy Porter, represented by John Porter, Michael Bone, Tim Murray, and Garrett Shurling

•                    2nd place: Forest City Juniors (sponsored by Critz Auto Group), represented by Mills Hollis, Curt Jones, Landyn Fries, and Chase Buerger

•                    Lewis B: Savannah Distributing

•                    Lewis C: VP Builders

St. Joseph’s/Candler would like to thank and recognize the 2025 Candler Clays Committee:

•                    Emily Cameron, Committee Co-Chair

•                    Raymond Singletary, Committee Co-Chair

•                    Linsey Blocker

•                    Ashley DuBois

•                    Caroline Gregory

•                    Meghan Jue

•                    Lauren Novack

•                    Lori Pitt

•                    Jenny Price

•                    Dennis Reed