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.