Tracy Lawrence has set a new record with his Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert. The event, held on November 23rd, raised an impressive $175,000 for the Nashville Rescue Mission. Lawrence and other volunteers also fried 500 turkeys, which were distributed to families in need across Middle Tennessee.
“We have so many volunteers that return every year, year after year, that everybody kind of knows what to do,” Lawrence told Everything Nash the morning of the event. “So the new people that show up, it’s easy to integrate them into it. The friers were all set up really quick. This morning, I got here about 6:30 and as soon as we got the okay from the fire marshall, we fired everything up.”
This was Lawrence’s 16th year to host his Mission:Possible Turkey Fry, supporting a cause he is deeply passionate about.
“I just feel such a great connection with the Rescue Mission,” Lawrence explained. “I think they do such great work in the community. There are so many folks that are less fortunate than we are. I think everybody should take the time to give back just a little bit more. They have an opportunity for people to get their GED, to go through drug rehabilitation, alcohol rehabilitation, just so many ways for them to get back on track when they fall on hard times. And even if they just need to go overnight. There are a lot of resources here people to use. I just think it’s something that we should really appreciate here.”
Lawrence also hosted a golf tournament earlier this year. Together with that event and the Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Concert, the event raised a cumulative $325,000 for the Nashville Rescue Mission in one calendar year. In honor of his generous contributions, Senator Marsha Blackburn gave him the honorary title of Tennessee Colonel.
“It is a rare privilege to stand alongside someone with such an earnest heart for service, and so I consider it an honor to present Tracy with the prestigious title of Tennessee Colonel,” said Senator Blackburn. “Last year alone, his work with the Nashville Rescue Mission fed thousands of people and raised more than $100,000 in donations for the homeless and hungry. This is what love looks like and I thank Tracy from the bottom of my heart for giving that love so freely to the people of Nashville.”
Dustin Lynch, Michael Ray and Lainey Wilson joined Lawrence for the concert, which was held at the SkyDeck at Assembly Hall. Donations to the Nashville Rescue Mission can be made here.