His 11th annual Tracy Lawrence Mission:Possible Turkey Fry took place at Nashville Rescue Mission Tuesday, Nov. 22, with 250 volunteers helping to fry up more than 460 turkeys and raise nearly $2,000 for the Mission– with some encouragement from Nashville’s Titans cheerleaders. The popular event has inspired other cities to hold their own Turkey Fry the week of Thanksgiving to raise awareness and serve their own local homeless communities; in Dallas, Texas, more than 100 volunteers fried 50 turkeys Wednesday, Nov. 23 to benefit the Dallas Life Foundation, helping to feed their city’s homeless and hungry.
“For our first year, Dallas Life fried 50 turkeys and had over 100 volunteers,” said Gracie Sweeney, Dallas Life Public Relations Director. “The event was well organized and went very smoothly! We already have promises for 10 sponsors next year and we hope to double to 100 turkeys next year! We also got to make some great connections through Tracy that got us celebrities and contacts for next year that will result in more donations! This event was a HUGE success!”
The second annual Tracy Lawrence Mission:Possible Charity Concert was held the evening of the turkey fry at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon, featuring performances from Lawrence and his country-star pals Big & Rich, Jerrod Niemann, Ben Rue and returning guests Halfway to Hazard, all donating their time and talent to the cause.
Last year’s sold-out concert raised $63,000 for Nashville Rescue Mission, and this year’s topped that, raising $133,000 for the cause.
During the concert, Lawrence revealed a new homeless fundraising initiative he will be launching in May 2017, the Mission:Possible Golf Tournament and Charity Concert, a partnership with legendary radio station 650 AM WSM that will benefit Lebanon, Tenn.’s Brooks House and Nashville Rescue Mission. The Brooks House is a non-denominational, faith-based transitional, non-emergency shelter where women and children receive temporary shelter.
Earlier this year, the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals honored Lawrence as its Philanthropist of the Year specifically for his work on behalf of Nashville Rescue Mission, recognizing him for making a large and positive contribution to the community. Funds raised by the singer at his annual event have helped provide more than 75,000 meals to those in need, and more than 5,000 turkeys have been fried and donated to the Mission.