On Christmas morning, many children around Shelby County will wake up to presents donated through unusual means – clay shooting.

On Saturday, the Shelby County Sheriff&8217;s office will hold a five-stand clay shooting tournament and firearm safety event to benefit Toys for Needy Children. This charity assists less fortunate families during the holiday season by raising money and buying Christmas gifts for children in Shelby County.

This unusual fundraiser is a first for Marilyn Campbell, inventory clerk at the Sheriff office and organizer of the event. &8220;It was the Sheriff&8217;s idea to do a clay shoot,&8221; she said.

&8220;We don&8217;t have a place open to the public in Shelby County where people can come and shoot, so it was a good idea. Also, it&8217;s right before dove season so that was a reason we planned it right now.&8221; At the clay shoot, dove hunters can sight their guns to make sure they are ready for the season.

Campbell helps keep this law enforcement charity flourishing year to year and has been in charge of Toys for Children for the last three years. In June, the Sheriff Office employees hosted their most recent fundraiser, an annual golf tournament held every spring since 2004. &8220;It&8217;s getting better each year,&8221; Campbell said.

Last year, Toys for Children gave gifts to around 130 children from 70 families, which Campbell said is the usual average for gifts given per year.

Sheriff Chris Curry is adamant about making sure the Sheriff&8217;s Office supports Toys for Children. &8220;It&8217;s the only program that directly focuses on Shelby County. Our employees want to take care of the county&8217;s children,&8221; he said.

In order for the community to get involved, &8220;Last year we also had an Angel Tree,&8221; Campell said. &8220;It helped save money so we could help more families.&8221;

The Sheriff Office plans on having an Angel Tree again this year. Families in the area can pick a child off the tree, buy gifts requested by each child and drop them back off at the Sheriff Office to be wrapped and delivered to families.

Toys for children is also in need of permanent headquarters for the two months of operation. If anyone is interested in lending aid, contact Campbell at the Sheriff office at 669-4181. For more information about Saturday&8217;s clay shooting event call Tracey Lawley at 669-8884 or email him at mailto:traceyl@shelbycountyalabama.net.