DELAWARE – The Light Foundation held its inaugural Buckeye Blast sporting clay tournament at Black Wing Shooting Center located in Delaware, OH. The event hosted more than 300 attendees for a successful first-year event.
“When you look around this venue today and it’s a first year event and you have all the jitters of doing something for the first time but you look at the people who have come to support this, and I tell you, through the eyes of our vendors and our sponsors and our participants and our volunteers you get to see the heart of what we are as a non-profit,” said Matt Light. “That is, people who just want to serve.”
The Light Foundation far exceeded its goal of 30 first-year teams, with 45 teams of four participating.
“I am really proud of our entire team,” Light noted. “Troy Eden, Brandi Turner, Brian and Glenn Rehmert, Hayden Lewter, and Rodney Denniston, the sacrifices they make to pull off an event like this in year one are impressive.”
“I’m looking forward to bringing a concept that has served us for 20 years in the Northeast to the Great State of Ohio, where we can have fun at an event like this, raising money,” added Light. “We have kids from our camps here working. This is bringing everything together in one spot for a great party, but with a purpose.”
The event featured many former Ohio State University and professional football players and music by Country Music’s Tyler Farr. Former OSU players included Jim Lachey, Bobby Carpenter, Matt Finkes, and Maurice Clarette.
“Once they saw how this event took place and the quality of production we try to put on, they all said we will max out at 60 teams next year now that they visualized it,” said Troy Eden, Light Foundation Ohio Team Chief Operations Officer. “They are all in on supporting it for next year and supporting the cause of helping that next generation of America’s youth.”
“The event exceeded our expectations,” Eden added. “The way the Darke County Community supported it was amazing. We had six teams from Darke County.”
Participants had an action-packed day at the exclusive clay target shooting facility, during an exciting sporting clays tournament, testing skills with side games, and taking their shot at winning amazing raffle prizes, silent, and live auction packages crafted for outdoor enthusiasts.
“For the first ever Buckeye Blast, it is going great,” said Margrette Mondillo, Massachusetts Team Light Foundation Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer. “Everybody has been very generous to us and patient. The support has been unbelievable, it’s been awesome to see. We have people here helping out and diving in. I love the Midwestern charm coming from New England. It’s a fantastic start.”
The day ended with a dinner and live entertainment while rubbing elbows with some of the area’s biggest sports stars and celebrities, all for the mission of the Light Foundation.
The Light Foundation believes that through hard work and achievement, self-confidence is built. This is one of the best defenses a child can have against negative influences. Through their eight unique programs, they provide young people with access to outdoor recreation and hands-on learning opportunities that inspire them to believe in themselves and their ability to be great leaders. Not only does the Light Foundation help them down their path toward becoming successful adults, but it also builds healthy, responsible, and motivated citizens for generations to come.
The 21st Annual Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out takes place Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Addieville East Farm, RI.
