Why Organize a Charity Event at Your Club?
Shooting clubs possess a fantastic asset: a welcoming venue, a dedicated community, and a captivating sport. Organizing a charity event at your range transforms this passion into solidarity. The Telethon in early December offers an ideal window: media recognition, collective mobilization, and a major cause (AFM Téléthon for rare genetic diseases) that resonates with the general public.
Beyond fundraising, you build a positive image for sport shooting in your community. Residents see engaged, athletic, and civic-minded shooters—the exact opposite of negative stereotypes. You rally your volunteers around a unifying project and demonstrate that the club isn’t just about competition, but also about social connection.
Choosing the Event Format
Charity shooting events work best when the mechanics are simple and engaging. Here are three proven formats:
Donation per Broken Target For every target broken by a participant, a fixed donation goes to the Telethon (e.g., €5, €10, depending on your ambition). This is accessible even for children (using a .22 LR rifle), generates excitement, and fosters a friendly atmosphere. Display a large counter showing the number of broken targets and the total collected in real-time: people love to see the tally grow.
Challenge per Shot Target Participants shoot a random assortment of firearms (precision rifle, target pistol, clay shooting if you have the discipline). Each aims for their best score. The top three shooters of the day win a prize (donated by local sponsors: sports stores, restaurants), and each participant pays an “access challenge” fee (€3-€5).
Open Family Format Open your club to non-members for 2-3 hours on a Saturday or Sunday. Offer fun activities: .22 rifle shooting at 25m for children, target pistol shooting for teenagers, and clay shooting for adults. Each activity costs a fee (€5-€7 depending on complexity). Provide light refreshments (sandwiches, coffee), with a portion of the proceeds going to the Telethon. Focus on a fair-play and inclusive atmosphere.
Managing Administration and Safety
Before even communicating, confirm three key points with your préfet and mayor.
Administrative Authorization Contact the general directorate of the national police (arms department) or your préfecture to clarify: you will be hosting the public in addition to members, and you will be recruiting participants who do not shoot regularly. Explicitly ask if a municipal decree is required for the event. Generally, a simple letter of information suffices if the club is already authorized. Remember to allow sufficient time: 4-6 weeks in advance.
Insurance Call your club’s insurer to declare the charity event and the expected attendance. Occasional participants must also be covered—the insurer may offer temporary coverage or increase the limit for the day of the event. This is non-negotiable: no shooting without proper coverage.
Safety Protocol Implement a strict framework: mandatory safety briefing for every participant (30 seconds, “no firearm in hand outside the firing line,” “no playing with firearms,” etc.), continuous supervision of the firing range, and a designated supervisor for each discipline. Minors must always shoot with an adult in immediate proximity. Print a “You agree to the club’s safety protocol” form to be signed by each participant—this is your legal safeguard.
Local Communication
Six to eight weeks before the event, launch your communication efforts:
Posters and Word-of-Mouth Display posters at the club, in neighboring town halls, gyms, and community centers. Create a one-page A5 PDF flyer with: your club’s logo, the clear date (“Saturday, December 7th, 2 PM - 6 PM: Come shoot for AFM!”), the location with parking, the conditions (no license needed), and the charitable purpose (in large print: “100% of donations to Telethon”). Include the contact number of the event organizer.
Social Media and Club Website If you have a Facebook or Instagram account, post regular updates: “32 days until the event,” photos of the facilities, and a “teaser” for the final prize if you have sponsors. Create a simple hashtag (#CharityShootDecember2026) to aggregate posts on the day of the event. Update your club website with a dedicated section.
Local Press Contact your local newspaper 3-4 weeks beforehand. Provide a short press release (200 words): “The [City] shooting club is organizing a charity event to benefit AFM Téléthon. Open to families, no license required. Fun activities, rifle shooting, pistol, clay shooting. X € expected to be collected.” Offer the journalist a reconnaissance visit—a club photo with participants shooting is gold for the press.
Sponsorship and Logistics
Local Sponsors Approach small businesses (sports stores, newsagents, local restaurants, gas stations). The proposal: your logo on the flyer + display at the club in exchange for a €50-€200 donation + provision of a prize (branded clothing, gift voucher). Most will accept: it’s visible, inexpensive, and they likely already support Telethon anyway.
Refreshments and Catering Offer drinks (juice, coffee, draft beer), homemade cakes brought by members (always a hit), and sandwiches for €5. Each sale generates a direct profit. Clearly mark “Proceeds to Telethon” on the menu.
Logistics on the Day Divide tasks: welcome desk (temporary membership, check-in, participant bib/wristband distribution), safety (firing line supervision, firearm storage), instructors (discipline-specific teaching), bar/catering, cash desk, photos/video. Create a 2-3 hour schedule with rotations so no one gets exhausted. Prepare written checklists displayed next to each station.
Involving Club Volunteers
Success hinges on mobilization. As early as September, call a volunteer meeting. Explain the project: “We’re going to raise the club’s profile, help families, and have a fun Saturday.” Ask for specific commitments: “Can you supervise the rifle range from 10 AM to 12 PM? Can you manage the bar?” People say yes when it’s concrete.
Ask 2-3 members to lead the refreshment stand. Ask experienced instructors to supervise beginners. Involve members’ children: many enjoy helping out at an event (posters, welcoming children). Prepare a small thank-you note for each volunteer afterward—perhaps a free beer, a mention in the newsletter, or a certificate.
Building Momentum and Donating
Visible Counter On the day of the event, display a large board with the total collected, updated hourly. This creates suspense: “If we reach €1500, we win the bonus prize from [Sponsor]!” People tend to give more when they see the counter increasing.
Official Donation to AFM At the end of the event, take a group photo with the local AFM representative (they love it), then publicize the donation receipt. Send this to the local press and your sponsors. This is proof of your impact—and it creates positive envy for subsequent years.
Post-Event Communication Write a short summary: “Thanks to 150 participants, 47 volunteers, and our 8 sponsors for the €2,300 collected!” Post photos (with participants pixelated if necessary), share messages received from participants. This reinforces the club’s collective pride and retains your volunteers for next year.
Anticipating Minor Issues
Bad Weather If you’re organizing an outdoor clay shooting event, rain in December is a real possibility. Plan for emergency shelter or a backup plan: move the event indoors (rifle, target pistol) or postpone it by a week. Communicate this clearly from the initial announcement.
Low Participation This is possible in the first few years. It’s normal. Even 30 participants means €150-€200 collected. The real gains are the image and internal pride. The following year, those who participated will tell their friends.
Volunteer Fatigue Organizing this is work. Limit the event to a maximum of 4-5 hours. Keep volunteers well-fed and create a festive atmosphere—that’s your job. People volunteer their time when it’s light and fun, not when it’s a chore.
FAQ
Q: Can you shoot clay targets in December in a cold region? Yes, as long as the ground isn’t frozen (which prevents targets from breaking properly) and participants wear gloves. Provide hand warmers and blankets. The winter Telethon atmosphere is your marketing advantage!
Q: How do we declare donations to the Treasury? AFM Téléthon will provide you with a platform or bank details for transfers. If you collect cash, request a receipt signed by the local AFM representative. Document everything in a simple report signed by 2 members and the president. Don’t panic about administration: AFM manages thousands of collections, they have a well-established procedure.
Q: Is a license required to participate in the event? No. This is one of the advantages of the open charity format: participants do not need to be members or licensed. The only requirements are that they must be adults (or minors accompanied by an adult) and agree to your safety protocol.
Q: What is a realistic amount to collect? This depends on your region and visibility. Between €500 and €3,000 for a first event is typical for a medium-sized club. 50-100 participants is already very good.
Q: Can we run a parallel competition alongside the Telethon to boost engagement? Absolutely. A friendly precision rifle competition for “best score of the day,” or a family clay shooting challenge, creates entertainment. Just keep the focus on the charitable objective, not hardcore competition. A fair-play atmosphere above all.