CFMT’s Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund Attracts More Than $2.1M To Aid Tornado Victims in 1st 36 Hours

NASHVILLE, TN — The Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund, activated by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee in the wake of a deadly and destructive tornado early Tuesday morning, has received more than $2.1 million in donations in just 36 hours.

The Titans Foundation and Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk today announced a donation of $1 million to the Fund following the devastation of a deadly EF-3 tornado that ripped through Nashville and surrounding areas early March 3 that left at least 24 people dead.

In addition, the NFL Foundation will make a $250,000 contribution to the Fund and will work with local schools to assess needs for football field repair and equipment.

The total thus far of $2,27,674.70 includes more than 7,000 online gifts.

Grants from the Fund will be made to nonprofits providing vital services both immediate and long term. Our work helps free nonprofits up to concentrate on delivering vital services while we “connect generosity with need” and our community sets out to rebuild lives.

“Everyone in this community 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 The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “This is an extraordinary gift toward our ability to respond and restore the damage caused by these disastrous storms.”

Among the nonprofits anticipated to receive aid through the donations include Hands On Nashville, Westminster Home Connection, Family and Children’s Service, the Community Resource Center, Crossroads Campus, and many more.

“We are so encouraged about the amount of charity people have shown in the aftermath of Monday night’s tragedy,” Adams Strunk said. “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.”

To give to the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund, go to www.cfmt.org.

The Titans have also partnered with Hands On Nashville to encourage volunteer efforts. Titans players, staff and their families will volunteer in Middle Tennessee on Friday March 6 (details forthcoming). Other volunteer opportunities are available at www.hon.org.

“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.”

The Community Foundation exists to promote and facilitate giving in the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee and beyond. It does this by accepting gifts of any size from anyone at any time and by empowering individuals, families, companies, nonprofits, and communities to respond to needs and opportunities that matter. The Community Foundation works with people who have great hearts, whether or not they have great wealth, to craft solutions that reflect their intentions and goals. For more information, call 615-321-4939 or visit www.cfmt.org.