Wow! We’re so thrilled and thankful for all of the support for our 21st Annual Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out! The bar was high after last year’s milestone 20-year celebration, but our 2025 event exceeded all expectations. With more participants than ever and a record-breaking fundraising total, our signature event was a powerful reminder of why this tradition continues to grow in scope and size. It’s about the people: every sponsor, donor, vendor, volunteer, celebrity, and friend of the Light Foundation played a significant role in making the day one for the books.

While the numbers are certainly worth celebrating, the real story lies in the impact those funds will have on young leaders across the country. At a time when there’s real demand for our programs, we’re poised for real growth – and the success of our MLCS will make that possible.  We have only come this far thanks to the strength of our community – everyone who gives us their time, resources, and networks to make it all happen! The youth in our programs continually validate our work and let us know we’re making a lifelong impact on their lives – and that’s what keeps us focused on the future.

We’re deeply grateful to the sponsors who made this day possible. Their support powered every part of the day. Our Lead Sponsor Rockport Mortgage Corporation; Gold Sponsor Douglas A. King Builders; and Hotshot Sponsors Santoro Oil and Smith & Wesson helped us hit the mark in more ways than one. We also want to recognize our Silver Sponsors – Cross Insurance, WINDOWamour, Ruger, Eastern Propane & Oil, Naults Powersports & Marine, and Tom Niedermeyer – along with our Bronze Sponsor, Procaccianti Companies. We’re equally thankful to our Signage Sponsors – DraftKings, GraVoc, Colt’s Manufacturing, First Citizens Wealth, Sig Sauer, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters – and our Value Pack Sponsors – Tryton TC, Carbone Metal Fabricators, Primo Medical Group, GuidePoint Security, and Pension & Wealth Management Advisors. A special thanks to our Lanyard Sponsor Big Bear Hunting and Fishing, and our Charging Station Sponsors, Talking Rain Beverage Company and Cardi’s Furniture & Mattresses. A big thank you to our ammo sponsors, Federal and Remington, for supplying the essential rounds that made the tournament possible. We also want to call out our Photobooth Sponsors, AP&S and KAG Arms, for adding a fun touch and giving guests a chance to snap prop-filled memories.

We’re also thankful to the members of our 21st Annual Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out Committee: David and Lisa DiAntonio, Bob Reynolds, Ernie Boch Jr., Will Worthy, Andrea Patisteas, Bobby Loffredo, Jack O’Brien, and Marc Frateschi. Their outreach and support helped expand our network of champions and added meaningful momentum to this year’s success. It’s contributions like theirs that allow us to deliver impactful programs at no cost to youth and their families.

To all of our Food and Beverage Sponsors, thank you for keeping everyone fueled throughout the day. We kicked off with breakfast from New England favorite Dunkin’, followed by a midday lunch pick-me-up from LUCIE drink + dine, 110 Grill, Lyons Group, Bucatino Restaurant and Wine Bar, Stillwater, and The Banks Seafood and Steak. Our volunteers were treated to lunch provided by Dan’s Place, and guests enjoyed appetizers from The Sausage Guy, Blackbird Farms, and Legal Sea Foods. A gourmet dinner from The Capital Grille marked the final culinary highlight of the day – a meal our regulars look forward to year after year. Props to our Beverage Sponsors for keeping everyone hydrated: The Coca-Cola Company, Portlandia Wines, Harpoon Brewery, Talking Rain Beverage Company, Boston Harbor Distillery, WhistlePig Whiskey, Megalodon Spirits, Corvus Vodka, and Vãi Dãi Coffee.

The fun extended well beyond the main tournament, thanks to a lineup of interactive experiences that kept guests engaged throughout the day. From the cigar lounge by Rolling Stogies to fly-fishing with Ed Lombardo Fly Fishing Guide and Thomas & Thomas Outfitters, there was something for everyone. Attendees tested their aim – and nerves – by taking down zombies in The Gun Parlor’s mobile shooting simulator, tried their hand at archery with Bass Pro Shops, and let loose with axe throwing courtesy of Crazy Axes. Naults Powersports & Marine participated in the exhibition area, while a K9 demonstration from RIPD wowed the crowd. And for those looking to capture the moment, Back Stage Photo Booth offered a playful photo experience.

Thank you to The Porch Rockers for kicking off our cocktail hour with an upbeat set, and our special guest, country music artist Tyler Farr, for keeping the energy high.  A big shout-out to Matt Light’s co-auctioneers, comedians Tony V and Mark Riley… and Gronk, who surprised the crowd by presenting his own auction item, joined by Ty Law and Rob Ninkovich. We’d also like to recognize the other special guests who showed up: David Andrews, Lonie Paxton, Tedy Bruschi, Niko Koutovidas, Patrick Pass, Brian Fox, and Dante Scarnecchia.

This year we also offered a new VIP experience based on our former Corporate Training Day called “Operator For a Day.” This new experience allowed a limited number of participants access to three different shooting courses, guided by our Special Operators throughout the day. Big thanks to the Reynolds Family Foundation for being the Presenting Sponsor, and to our Commander Sponsors – the Joe Funaro Foundation and First Resource Companies. A call-out to James’ Breakfast & More for providing a great breakfast for guests. Thanks to our special operators: Tram Holland, Kevin Holland, Kevin Lacz, Kyle Lamb, Jesse Boettcher, Chili Palmer, Alan Miller, Shannon Krieger, Brett Krueger, Zach Conaway, and Charlie Novotny for assisting and adding an extra level of expertise to the event. We appreciate the major donation of watches for our SOs from Benrus. A special nod of gratitude to our OFAD Ammo Sponsors, Winchester Ammunition and Target Sports USA, and to The Gun Parlor and the American Heritage Museum for their help in the execution of the day.

This day wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible efforts of our nearly 100 volunteers and dedicated team captains. Special thanks to Jenna Strickland, who led the charge on gift bags and played a key role in volunteer recruitment and oversight, and to her husband Stephen Strickland, who managed golf cart logistics and supported operations. We’re also grateful to Liz and Scott Hall for overseeing our silent auction with precision and care, and Stephanie Ryan, for her behind-the-scenes prep and leadership of our onsite raffles. To the team at Addieville East Farm – Jack O’Brien, Kevin O’Brien, Paula Gaebe, Kenny Hopkins and more – thank you for your continued hospitality and for making this day possible.

As we reflect on what made this day possible, we also want to recognize our Corporate Partners – Haynes Group, Twelve Points Wealth Management, Granite Telecommunications, the Lykins Family Foundation, Ralph & Phyllis Brumbaugh, and our newest addition, Navigant Credit Union. Their ongoing commitment strengthens our foundation and helps sustain our mission and ensures youth and families continue to benefit from high-quality, no-cost programming.

We’re entering an exciting chapter of growth at the Light Foundation – and it’s all powered by your support. With increased funding and new strategic partners, we’re expanding our reach and deepening our impact across New England and beyond. Our Leadership Academy programs continue to be the cornerstone of our mission, equipping young people with the confidence, character, and skills they need to inspire and lead others in their communities. This year alone, we’ve added new classrooms to our LIGHT Project, welcomed students from additional vocational schools to our Leadership Conference, and introduced a new cohort of young men from Lawrence, MA to Camp Vohokase. We’re also laying the groundwork for our newest initiative – the Light Foundation of New Hampshire – which will allow us to serve even more youth in the years ahead. Thanks to your generosity, we’re not just sustaining our programs – we’re scaling them.

We’d love to keep the momentum going, so if you captured a favorite moment or have a story to share, tag us on social media or send it our way by emailing Emilie Lapointe at emilie@mattlight72.com. Whether it’s a photo, testimonial, or a quick shout-out, we’re always excited to see the day through your eyes. You can find us on Instagram (@lightfoundation) and Facebook (@The Light Foundation). Your posts help us celebrate the impact and keep the spirit of the Shoot-Out alive long after the last shot was fired.

We raise our glass – legally now – to 21 years of unforgettable memories, meaningful impact, and a community that continues to show up in powerful ways. This year’s Shoot-Out was more than a celebration; it was a launchpad for what’s next. With your support, we’re growing, evolving, and reaching more youth than ever before. Mark your calendars for next year’s event on September 15, 2026 – we’ll be sharing more details soon. Cheers to the journey ahead – we can’t wait to see you again soon.