NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans Foundation is donating $1 million to Middle Tennessee tornado relief efforts following the deadly tornado outbreak that swept through Nashville, Mt. Juliet, Cookeville and surrounding areas early Tuesday morning.
The money will go to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, the team announced Wednesday. The NFL is also donating an additional $250,000 to help local schools repair football fields and replace equipment.
“It truly takes a village to recover from a disaster, and our sports community is taking that to heart,” said Tara Tenario, Hands On Nashville chief operating officer. “Hands On Nashville is honored to partner with the Tennessee Titans as they lend incredible team spirit to keep Nashville strong.”
CFMT said they plan to distribute the donation to nonprofits across Middle Tennessee to help people with immediate and long-term needs.
“We are so encouraged about the amount of charity people have shown in the aftermath of Monday night’s tragedy,” Adams Strunk said, owner of Tennessee Titans. “As leaders in the community, we want to lend our help to this cause of healing and rebuilding. Together we will help our neighbors through this long and difficult process. We are hopeful that others will join us in supporting this effort any way they can.”
In just 36 hours, more than $2.1 million has been raised for the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund. The following nonprofits are expected to receive donations to help the community: Hands On Nashville, Westminster Home Connection, Family and Children’s Service, the Community Resource Center, Crossroads Campus and others.
“Everyone in these communities and throughout Tennessee should be eternally grateful to the Tennessee Titans for their tremendous efforts in helping the victims of the tornadoes,” said Ellen Lehman, president of CFMT. “This is an extraordinary gift toward our ability to respond and restore the damage caused by these disastrous storms.”
Those wishing to make a donation to CFMT can by calling 888-540-5200 or clicking here.