Bud Adams
For most of us, the idea of owning a professional sports team is a bit hard to grasp. With so many millions of dollars involved, it’s also out of reach, even for the wealthy. While the majority of today’s teams are owned by groups of people buying in on percentages, that isn’t the case with Tennessee’s beloved franchise—Bud Adams is the founder, sole owner, chairman and CEO of the Tennessee Titans. Because of him and the team he’s built, our community is a better place.
I started writing this with the encouragement of local businessman Mark Bloom, who’s worked with Mr. Adams since the team was in the process of relocating from Houston to Nashville. Their initial business relationship developed into a strong friendship. Bloom’s respect and appreciation for all Adams has done for the city instantly got my attention, and I started researching. After reading page upon page of Adams’ charitable contributions, I was even more enthralled.
I’ve read articles over the years about the sports side, the business angles and even somewhat negative comments that I now know were false, perhaps stemming from jealousy. Sadly, being successful often goes hand in hand with being criticicized.
After being warmly welcomed into Mr. Adams home and privileged to get to know him, I realized being in the presence of such a remarkable, driven individual is a rare occurrence. Despite tremendous wealth and power, he’s one of the most grounded, humble and delightful people I’ve ever met. So many times since our last conversation, his statements have come back to my mind. Adams, who had already amassed tremendous experience personally and professionally before I was born, will remain in my memory as a truly amazing soul.
I’d been as disgruntled as the next fan over the loss of a few games, but now that feeling is completely different. This season has been especially tough on the team, the staff and the players that I count as friends. But it’s Mr. Adams I think about when the scoreboard isn’t in our favor. He’s behind his team, and after decades of being a strong advocate for both his own franchise and the league, he deserves to win—and now I root for him.
What Sunday gamegoers may not much consider is just how much Bud Adams loves football. I strolled through the halls of his beautiful home in Houston, seeing photos of the young Adams on the field, and it was obvious he developed his passion early. At Culver Military Academy, he earned letters in football, baseball and basketball. While at Menio College, he lettered in both rugby and football, and then again in football when he transferred to the University of Kansas.
At Kansas, he met his wife Nancy Neville Adams, who was by his side in every endeavor until her passing last year. Hearing his stories about their meeting, first dates, engagement and eventual marriage told me it was that particular merger that brought him the most joy. Adams first saw her from the sidelines at a homecoming game, perusing her for weeks without getting a date until she and her sorority sisters needed a car ride when it was snowing heavily. He convinced his parents he needed to move in with his grandparents in Kansas so he was closer to school, when his real agenda was being closer to Nancy. He chuckled a bit, saying he made sure to put a ring on her finger before he left to go overseas during World War II. It’s a genuine, sweet and romantic story—for 63 years of marriage, they experienced every possible obstacle but remained true to each other, their children and the charitable causes they believed in.
I could fill thirty pages with the stories of his founding of the AFL, recruiting top players and sports stories with the most famous players in history. I could write an entire book—or two—on Adams’ business accomplishments. All of that I’ll save for another place. Here, I want to focus on all the benefits his decision to locate here has brought to the Nashville community.
Together with Nancy, he contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to Houston charities. His dedication to Native American causes across the country is outstanding (he’s an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation). He told me about his mother, her experiences when things were unfriendly between Native American tribes and settlers. His home is filled with gorgeous, rare Western and Native American art.
Here in Tennessee, he’s been a trailblazer unlike any other, ever—well beyond the revenue the team, stadium and tax dollars that have boosted our overall economy immeasurably. I’m not sure the average person upset over a play or a loss ever stops to consider the millions spent in our city or the thousands of jobs supporting local families that stem from Adams’ choice to relocate in Tennessee. From real estate to hospitality, retail to healthcare, he and his Titans have impacted us all.
Since the team arrived, local charities have seen over $18 million dollars flow into their organizations (that number is likely low since the individual players efforts aren’t counted). Bud and Nancy Adams established the Tennessee Titans Foundation in 1999 with an initial gift of $500,000 to support non-profits, and that’s continued to build over the years.
There are annual events including the Golf Classic, and many organizations also gain from the foundation. When there’s a tragedy or storm, their dollars help with relief and their scholarships provide education for athletes and students involved in community service. They fund healthcare for those in need, and have significantly improved the finances of children’s hospitals in Tennessee.
As a long time supporter and contributor to the Boy Scouts, Mr. Adams has been invaluable to Tennessee’s youth. Cash donations are a big part of it, but he’s the type who has chosen to be truly involved. He not only offers money, but serves on boards, regularly lending knowledge and expertise to benefit the youth in our communities. An outstanding example are the 40 deserving Nashville teenagers (“Bud’s Kids”) and their 10 chaperones, chosen from six charity organizations, given an all expenses paid trip to the Superbowl—with 50 yard line seats, a three night stay in the team hotel and a return flight with the players in a chartered jet. That kind of giving takes time, effort, though—and the realization that certain things can ultimately change and shape lives.
At almost 87 years old, Bud Adams still does things that will forever impact others—young and old. I’m somewhere in the middle, but being fortunate enough to know him certainly has changed my life. In my opinion, he’s the definition of a hero.
Harley Siemer
Harley Siemer represents everything good and decent about this great city. Retired since 1990 from his registered nurse job with the state Department of Corrections, Siemer has stumbled upon a second career, serving as supervisor on site and on-site medic for Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity. At 81, the veteran volunteer has helped build more than 300 homes for needy Nashvillians, starting in 1997 when he assisted Westminster Presbyterian Church members with a HforH project.
“I got bit by ‘Habitatitis,’” Siemer says with a chuckle.
The work simply kept coming. “They gave me an assignment here and an assignment there,” says Siemer, who lives in Bellevue. “I got involved in one thing or another. I enjoy the organization, the volunteers and the family partners.”
Siemer lost his wife in January 1996. Perhaps the loss spurred his desire to help his fellow citizens. “That spring, I got involved with Red Caboose Park,” he says, adding that later work with the Nashville Zoo’s Jungle Gym further whetted his appetite for volunteer work. HforH eased the hunger.
When asked when he might “retire” from Habitat, he says he’ll go “as long as I’m able to.” That could be many years at this rate.
Chris McCarthy, Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity CEO, says Siemer recently
became the first local person ever nominated for a Pioneers of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award. “Harley is an inspiration to me personally and to the tens of thousands of volunteers we work with every year,” McCarthy says. “He’s somebody that really lives what he believes, and he has touched thousands of lives and helped those lives be better because of his generous spirit.”
Siemer is too humble to bask in such praise. Straightforward and selfless, he’s all about the product—in this case, homes for society’s least fortunate.
“The first weekend you go out [and] maybe there’s just a foundation or a concrete slab,” he says of the process. “The family partners say, ‘Is this true?’ Then you get walls and a roof. You can see the rooms. The third weekend you get drywalls, doors, windows. The fourth weekend—that’s when the emotions hit, the tears of joy you see from the family partners.”
Siemer loves the tears. And, of course, there is the side benefit for a man in his 80s ... “Yes,” he says, “it keeps you in shape.”
—William Williams
Lee Ann Ingram
Ingram is one of those people you can’t help admire for the myriad number of causes she works and speaks for, including spending time as a board member at Cheekwood and as 2009 co-chair of the Symphony Spring Fashion Show, and work benefiting causes as diverse as the Land Trust for Tennessee, the Harpeth River Valley Watershed and the Women’s Advisory Counsel for the United Way.
But the commitments that mean the most to her are with Centerstone (vice chair of the Board in 2009, and incoming chair for 2010) and the Girl Scouts of America. Centerstone, the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of community-based behavioral healthcare, has a special focus for Ingram, who battled anorexia as a teen.
“I really believe our society today needs them more than ever,” says Ingram. “We currently have 40 Centerstone counselors in the Metro school system (we hope to spread to the private school system), and 68 offices in other counties in Tennessee.”
Ingram created an interactive website (coaching4Teens.org), through which teens can call and privately discuss the issues they have with Centerstone coaches. “It doesn’t matter how big or small the issue seems to be, if they need to talk about it, it’s important because it’s their’s.” She adds that the Girl Scouts are starting to adopt the program, and hopes some day it may be nationwide.
She identifies with the notion of educating children to believe in themselves, “whether through Head Start programs, through counseling or “coaching,” earning merit badges, seeing their gardens bloom or playing an instrument. Perhaps not surprising for a woman who studied early childhood education with a special education minor at Peabody, but definitely impressive.
“I want children to believe in themselves and have good self-esteem with a strong moral compass,” Ingram says. “I want them to create a healthier community, that can make intelligent decisions and not be afraid to ask for help when they need it. That’s what I find in my charities of choice.”
She adds that “my father always taught me that we are given one shot at life. We are on borrowed time, and it’s our job to leave this place better than we found it. I think of that every day.”
—Stephanie Stewart
Dan Crockett
Dan Crockett , President and CEO of Franklin American Mortgage Company, has a lot on his plate and couldn’t be more thankful for it. “We’ve been so blessed over the years that I think it’s my responsibility—morally and ethically—to give back to the community and the causes I care about,” explains Crockett.
Crockett purchased FAMC back in 1994, and it’s now grown into one of the top 15 mortgage banking companies in the nation. It started out as your typical success story, with Crockett a young entrepreneur who recognized how fortunate he was. When the company began to grow enough to actually be able to give something back to the community that supported it, he provided the leadership for it to do so. “I think that philanthropic activity is my calling and something that I relate to as a person,” Crockett says. “I like to talk to my staff about it being a priority as well.”
Having lost both parents to cancer and loss of his brother some 20 years ago to leukemia, cancer is definitely high on the priority list of philanthropic activities. “I had to sit down and begin to categorize what was important and that consisted of God, my kids and cancer,” says Crockett. “Helping children has always been a part of what we want to do here.”
Franklin American Mortgage Company and Dan Crockett are involved with over 20 different charities, including the Charity Cup (associated with the Music City Bowl).
As a father of two, the guy running one of the nation’s top mortgage companies, plus being on nine different boards and involved in 20 different charities, he responds with humor when asked what he does with his spare time: “Not very much, but it’s all balanced.” Crockett likes the phrase, “To whom much is given, much is required”—and that seems to fit perfectly.
“Franklin American Mortgage Company has been blessed and we’ve been able to achieve some pretty special things,” says Crockett. “Not only me, but as a leadership group and as an institution in the mortgage banking industry—we feel the need to give back.”
—Jordan Rutledge
Charles Davis
Charles Davis is a hero to many because of his major achievements in the world of professional sports, but he’s idolized by innumerable children in this community for his Charles Davis Foundation, which aims to inspire and aid them, and help them realize their personal dreams and goals, through a combination of hard work and perseverance.
“It really began when I was about 11,” Davis says modestly. “I was always grouping kids together, organizing teams, picnics, things to do.” Growing up in a rough neighborhood, he made the conscious choice not to get into trouble, and instead used his incredible athletic skills to first win a place on the basketball team at Vanderbilt, then move into pro basketball.
Davis began his philanthropic career as a sophomore in college, giving speeches to middle school students about being a Vanderbilt student-athlete. He loved the experience and kept up the inspirational speech-making. In his second year in the NBA, he came back to Nashville and started a basketball camp.
“I quickly realized more was needed,” he says. “There had to be an educational component.”
These days, the Foundation’s mission is to empower inner-city youth and families to reach their full potential through PEACE, or Positive Educational Athletic Cultural and Economic development. The educational staff is made up of certified Metro teachers and apprentices who are education majors at local colleges ( a scholarship program), all of which have a passion for sharing knowledge. Programs include summer camps and after-school programs that encourage both athletics and scholarship.
With the program’s success in Nashville, Davis reflects that he’d love to put it in place in public housing throughout the country. “It’s a cookie-cutter program,” says Davis. “Every community has schools, churches, organizations that work with children—our program could work anywhere, with the right funding.”
The Charles Davis Foundation offers a number of fundraising and support programs and events during the year, including Hallo-Casino, From Our Street to Your Street and the Inner City Golf Classic, to help needy kids, help local adopted schools fund student uniforms and to keep the organization running smoothly. Currently, they’re gearing up for For Santa’s Sake, the annual Christmas giving program for families in need. For more information, visit charlesdavisfoundation.org
—Stephanie Stewart
Austin Casselman
Austin Casselman—very literally—has your back. Covered, at least. Over the past three years, through his business, Print Resources—a sort of one-stop for business relationships, dealing with everything from design, printing, promotional material and direct marketing—the young entrepreneur has also quickly become a successful national supplier of high-quality logo merchandise for everyone from businesses to fraternities, offering a plethora of different personalized goods.
Last year, the company sold about half a million T-shirts, and those sales inspired Casselman to give his philanthropic nature free rein (inspired, he says, by his late father). With the help of his business partners and a crew of creative young brainstormers, he took the merchandising aspect within the company, separated it, renamed it Youth Merch and equipped it with an additional, simple mission—use a sizeable percentage of the profits to clothe those in need, all over the world.
“We needed to take this part of the business and make it it’s own entity,” says Casselman. “And we wanted to create the non-profit arm. Everything fell in to place—and I don’t believe in coincidence.” He was impressed by the TOMS Shoes model, but wanted a more holistic approach, more community involvement. Likewise, he brought in creative minds from other non-profits, and they spent days in a room, eating pizza and creating a business model.
“It’s so neat to see you aren’t doing anything particularly special,” beams Casselman. “Groups need T-shirts and merchandise, and they also feel good helping people in need. It’s not based on a hope people will donate. It’s all a side effect of the business.”
So, for example when the Tri-Delt sorority buys their shirts to promote their St. Jude’s fundraiser, they also help a school in Haiti buy uniforms. That’s a win for everyone. And the same is true when you buy that Dierks Bentley concert tee, and any number of other products. And you can order direct from Youth Merch for your own organization, large or small, and give back (check out youthmerch.com).
“I can’t stand how sexy giving to Africa is,” says the big-hearted Casselman. “We support people in need three ways: locally, internationally and through emergency relief. Locally, we work with a team of trusted 501(c)3s, including the Red Cross and Graceworks. And you know, if there’s another Katrina, we’re there too—and we’ve also got a warehouse of misprints ready when there’s a situation where folks just need something to wear right now.” International work is also done with trusted, verifiable institutions.
With a viral-level of buzz going on, Casselman says the only concern is to make sure they maintain a steady climb and do things right and responsibly. “I’m really excited,” says Casselman. “I can’t wait to see what year five or so of doing this is going to look like.”
—Stephanie Stewart
Nicky Weaver and Sigourney Cheek
The YWCA, has provided a shelter-based, community environment for mor than 30 years. However, nine years ago, a space dedicated to healing and nurturing for abused women and children, called the Bill and Nicky Weaver Domestic Violence Center, was built. The center was named after Nicky Weaver, a current board member of the YWCA, and her husband Bill (who has recently passed away).
Unfortunately, the shelter was about $1 million over budget, leaving the YWCA with a large mortgage and deferred maintenance. From these frustrations developed a campaign called “Burn The Mortgage,” created by Nicky Weaver, and then-board member Sigourney Cheek, that not only paid off their financial woes, but also produced an awareness campaign that helped more than 6,000 women and children last year.
“Nicky and I have been doing large events in Nashville since the 1970s,” says Cheek. “What was neat about this event was when I got the call from Pat [Shea, president of the YWCA], I was sitting in Nicky Weaver’s—my best friend’s—living room. It just worked really well for the both of us.”
The campaign consisted of Nashville women, grouped together by different demographics or professions, coming up with their own ways to help. With the help of these dedicated women, and some corporate underwriting, the dynamic duo and their teams were able to pay off the mortgage and raise an extra $500,000 in deferred finance for upcoming years. “It was a feel-good moment because we got involved in something that really made a difference. It wasn’t just a monetary campaign, but was also about raising awareness,” explains Weaver.
In addition to financially backing the violence shelter, they also raised a surprisingly large amount of awareness for the problem of domestic abuse in the community. “We realized that women who had never been in a violent situation were unaware of the fact that one in three women will be violated in some way during their lifetimes,” explains Weaver. “Our next step in raising more awareness is to bring it into the high school environment.”
In addition to the 52-bed facility at the confidentially located violence shelter, the YWCA also offers a 24-hour crisis line, maintained by trained professionals and volunteers. For more information, visit YWCANashville.com
—Jordan Rutledge
Bryan and Traci Frasher
Bryan and Traci Frasher had no idea that a concept conceived in their own kitchen would evolve into such a successful charity for kids in need. But Project Paper Doll has become exactly that—a lucrative annual charity to raise money for the Monroe Carell, Jr., Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
“I had just seen so many television programs where artists were using an autograph or an object to auction off in exchange for a charitable donation,” explains Traci. “Since Bryan had so much access to the music industry, here in Nashville, it became so clear.”
The couple came up with the idea of using a simple block of wood in the shape of the Vanderbilt paper doll logo as the vehicle for what to auction off, asking participants to decorate the “paper dolls” in distinctive fashion. They mailed out over 75 in hopes of getting half of them back.
“We were apprehensive about how many dolls we would get back, but we got all but three, and the celebrities really took the time to decorate them—people like Kid Rock, Bill Cosby and Jeff Foxworthy,” says Bryan. “It was amazing that so many celebrities took the time to decorate the dolls—and enjoyed doing it.”
The Frashers finally had the necessary objects to auction, but wanted an actual event to display the dolls. Hoping to grow each year, the actual auction (a closed event with donated food and beverages) consisted of an exhibit displaying the dolls available for bidding. Project Paper Doll partnered with eBay’s Giving Works Division to raise awareness of the event by placing the campaign in Giving Works’ magazine and on their homepage.
“With Traci’s idea, we can raise money, raise awareness and involve the music industry ,” says Bryan. “It brought all those aspects together, which was neat to see.”
—Jordan Rutledge
David King
David King only recently made the move from Miami, where his family had long since established their business, to bring King Jewelers to Middle Tennessee.The store opened with much fanfare in 2008, becoming a de facto source of fine jewelry and watches across the mid-state and beyond, but David King has just as rapidly been recognized for his extraordinary dedication to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, and the assorted charities associated with it. Even his grand opening event in November 2008 served as a fundraiser for the hospital.
“When I was growing up in South Florida, I wanted to be a doctor,” says King. “I went to the University of Pennsylvania, and worked at a children’s hospital while I was there. I ultimately decided to go in another career direction, and went to the Wharton School of Business, but the need I saw for children’s healthcare has impacted my whole life since. If you don’t help these kids, they don’t get a life—this is my passion. Helping children really is the meaning of life.”
King spent time working in New York as an investment banker before returning to South Florida, and then eventually arriving here. Borrowing from other programs he’d seen in Miami and tailoring the concepts to suit the Nashville community, he’s not only dedicated himself to the Monroe Carell, Jr., Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, but he’s dreamed up innovative ways to unite emerging philanthropists and hospital leaders in efforts to provide a solid focus and filter for giving. Newly dubbed Champions for Children (for the Vanderbilt mascot), the organization’s goal is to effectively highlight the mission and the impact of the Children’s Hospital in the community, even as it provides philanthropic and community support—and also connect likeminded individuals to encourage a more detailed attention to the needs of the hospital and its patients, thus serving its needs more efficiently.
“People don’t really realize the impact the hospital has, not only on Nashville, but on the whole Mid-South region. Especially now, when sponsorship dollars are so important, we really need to prioritize things. We need to support Vanderbilt Hospitals as a whole, for all they do in the community across the board—most importantly, they save lives. And there needs to be strategy, intelligence and passion behind that.”
Anyone who knows King also realizes he’s supported the Hunt Ball, Steeplechase, the Heart Gala, Chukkers for Charity and the Great Nashville Duck Race for the Boys & Girls Clubs over the past year. He, however, is the first one to point out that most of those charities ultimately tie back either to work done by Children’s Hospital or to children in the community in general. “I support the things that support Children’s Hospital,” he says. “I support the things I really believe in.”
—Stephanie Stewart
Bob Parks
Nashville-area realtor Bob Parks seemingly spends as much time doing good works for the community as he devotes to selling property. And that’s a lot of time. A veteran of the local real estate industry, Parks has immersed himself in contributing to a variety of causes positively impacting Middle Tennessee. As such, the name of the affable realtor pops up as much on boards of charitable and non-profit groups as on the black-yellow-red “Bob Parks Realty” yard signs.
“From day one (1975), our company has stressed the importance of giving back to the community that our agents live and work in,” Parks says. “It is our obligation to help those who are less privileged. We have been blessed to be a part Middle Tennessee’s expanding economic growth and are always encouraging our agents to return that blessing to others.”
Specifically, Bob Parks Realty has been very active in the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A portion of the company’s sales revenue is donated to the foundation.
No doubt, Parks has made a career of his “secondary career,” willingly serving
various groups in many ways. For example, the Murfreesboro native has long been active in his Christmas for the Children initiative, The Rutherford County-based effort is now 20 years old.
“There have been so many stories over the years from seeing the smiles on children’s faces at Christmas time when we’ve been able to make that special time of the year a little better for them,” Parks notes.
In addition to Christmas for the Children, Parks has worked in various capacities with the United Way of Middle Tennessee (30 years), the Tennessee School for the Blind (10 years), Bridges of Williamson County (five years), the American Heart Association (15 years and an annual donor to the Heart Walk effort), the Nashville Humane Association and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In addition, he and wife Marie are major donors to Mercy Ministries, with the couple to chair MM’s annual banquet this December.
At Bob Parks Realty, the focus goes beyond selling homes, Parks says. “When anyone joins our company,” he says, “they know from the start that the philosophy of Bob Parks Realty is to be active in their communities with both our time and money.”
—William Williams
Holiday Charities
BrightStone’s Jingle Bell Sale
BrightStone students create gifts to be sold to the public on Dec. 4-5 on site at BrightStone’s headquarters in the heart of Franklin. All proceeds benefit BrightStone in helping adults with special needs. brightstone.org
Christmas for the Kids
The two-day concert event featuring Charlie Daniels and friends on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Ryman Auditorium and the Bob Parks Auction on Dec. 1 at St. John Vianney Parish Hall (Gallatin) both benefit special children in the community during Christmas time. Auction festivities begin at 5 p.m. with appetizers and drinks, and the auction starts at 6:30 p.m. christmas4kids.org
Cottage Cove—Christmas With Dignity
Parents of children attending Cottage Cove can purchase new donated items at significantly reduced prices on Dec. 12, beginning at 9:30 a.m., and enjoy free refreshments and Christmas wrapping. Drop off toys and clothing by Dec. 10 at Cottage Cove or volunteer to setup on Dec. 11 beginning at 6 p.m., or Dec. 12 during any of the three shifts. (615) 292-2303; cottagecove.org/cwd.htm.
Gaylord Opryland’s Hall of Trees
Gaylord Opryland hosts the Hall of Trees, a beautiful display of lit Christmas trees decorated with special prizes. Profits to benefit various local charities.
Lawyer’s Association for Women
L.A.W. hosts an annual holiday party where every guest donates new or gently used children’s books to Book ’Em. [More info!]
Macy’s
Santa Comes to Macy’s in Cool Springs on Dec. 16. Children will get to see Santa and write letters to him that including their holiday wishes. For every letter dropped off, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $1 million.
Martha O’Bryan Center’s Toy Store
The Martha O’Bryan Center sponsors “Toy Store,” a Christmas assistance program that allows parents to either buy inexpensive vouchers or participate in community service to receive vouchers for new toys.
Metro Nashville Police’s Christmas Basket Charities Inc.
The Metro Christmas Basket Charities Inc. delivers baskets containing food and toys to needy families on Christmas Eve morning. Funded by donations and fundraising motorcycle rides.
Nashville Baptist Association Toy Store
The Toy Store provides donated Christmas presents for children and families during the holidays. Donations accepted locally at the Shelby Avenue Baptist Church Nov. 30-Dec. 4, and during open house on Dec. 5. Qualifying families can make appointments at the Toy Store Dec. 7-11 to pick up toys. (615) 259-3034.
Nashville Predators
Home Game Drives:
Nov. 19 & 21: Second Harvest Food Drive
Dec. 5 & 12: Toys for Tots Toy Drive
Dec. 8 Salvation Army Kettle Drive
Nashville Unlimited Christmas Concert
Christ Church Cathedral hosts its annual Nashville Unlimited Christmas Concert on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. Suggested donations of $20 benefit the Room In the Inn homeless housing program.
Oasis Center
(Kelly Motley will let us know today)
Operation Christmas Child
This program hand-delivers more than 69 million gift filled shoeboxes to children in approximately 100 countries. Drop off your prepared gift boxes (with a $7 minimum donation/box to cover shipping etc.) at these Nashville locations: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Tusculum Hills Baptist Church, Woodmont Baptist Church and West End Community Church.
Renewal House—“A Women’s Thanksgiving”
This 10th anniversary event for women only on Nov. 1 from 5-7 p.m. at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel features a Thanksgiving meal, stories from Renewal House graduates and a performance by Grammy award-winning artist Ashley Cleveland. Supporters can purchase a seat at the event ($75/person) or sponsor a table ($750 with 10 seats total) with all proceeds benefiting Renewal House, a housing program for families overcoming addictions. renewalhouse.org/special_happenings.
Salvation Army’s Angel Tree
The Angel Tree program allows individuals and corporations to adopt less fortunate children, seniors and disabled adults and provide them with personalized gifts and necessities during the holidays. Contributors can pick up tree tags at participating businesses.
Tennessee Titans Home Game Holiday Charity Drives
Food Drive—11/15 vs. Buffalo Bills, bring packaged or canned food items
Coat Drive—11/29 vs. Arizona Cardinals, bring new or gently used coats
Toy Drive—12/13 vs. St. Louis Rams, bring new toys
Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis
The law firm partners with the Salvation Army’s kettle collections, promotes donations through public service announcements and hosts an annual holiday party where every guest brings new or gently used children’s books to be donated to Book ’Em.
WKRN News 2 Food 2 Families
News 2 sponsors a Food 2 Families Holiday Food Drive benefiting Second Harvest of Tennessee. They encourage community members to drop of food items at a local Kroger until Dec. 30.
Youth Encouragement Services (YES)
YES invites parents to their annual Christmas store, where they can select a new outfit and new toys for each child in their home. Additionally, each family is given a large box of groceries including a ham or turkey and a gift card. Youthencouragementservices.org