Tracy Lawrence just hosted his 15th annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert, raising money for the Nashville Rescue Mission. In honor of his charitable efforts over the years, including raising almost a million dollars for the homeless shelter, located in the heart of Music City, the singer was awarded with an official Tracy Lawrence Day on Tuesday, November 24, by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
“While we can’t be with you in person, [First Lady] Maria and I are proud of the work you are doing, as a philanthropist here in the Volunteer State,” Governor Lee said in a video shared on social media. “That’s why I’d like to take a moment to recognize your service to others, on this Day of Recognition, to honor your efforts, and commemorate the 15th annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry and Concert that’s helping Tennesseans in our state.
“We appreciate your servant’s heart, and the hard work you’ve done over the past 15 years, serving Nashville’s homeless population with the Nashville Rescue Mission, as well as your partnership with the Tennessee State Fire Marshall’s Office, for fire safety awareness,” he continued. “Your generosity and service to others has benefited Tennesseans in need throughout Middle Tennessee, and we’re thankful to your contributions to the community.”
Thank you, @GovBillLee. I am humbled that you've declared today a day of recognition in honor of the 15th Annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry. Huge thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, @NashvilleRescue & board members who have helped make this event a success 15 years running! pic.twitter.com/1vBg29cMIl
— Tracy Lawrence (@tracy_lawrence) November 24, 2020
Tracy spoke out about the honor, as he celebrated the milestone event.
“Thank you, [Governor Bill Lee],” Tracy said. “I am humbled that you’ve declared today a Day of Recognition in honor of the 15th Annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry. Huge thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, [Nashville Rescue Mission] and board members who have helped make this event a success 15 years running!”
The 52-year-old knew it would have been easier to cancel this year’s Mission: Possible Turkey Fry, due to the coronavirus pandemic, but he was determined to proceed, even with the extra safety precautions and challenges.
“There was a conversation about, is this something that we just need to push off?,” Tracy told Everything Nash. “There was a lot of conversation about it, and we felt like it was something that we needed to push through, even if our money is way down and we don’t donate a lot of money. I think trying to keep things as normal as possible is mentally motivational and healthy for everybody in such a strange year. So we’ve tried as hard as we can to keep this as normal as we could.”
In addition to the Turkey Fry, Tracy also hosted a benefit concert, with Tim McGraw, Chris Young, Cole Swindell, Mitchell Tenpenny, John Rich and David Tolliver performing. The show, which was livestreamed, can be watched on-demand, via Talk Shop Live. An online auction is also available, which will close at 11:59 PM on December 1. All proceeds benefit the Nashville Rescue Mission.