NASHVILLE – Nearly one month after tornadoes tore through Middle Tennessee in the early hours of March 3, Nashville Soccer Club remains inspired by the community’s compassion and response. With the help of generous soccer fans from around the world, the club’s Never Give Up On You Fundraiser for the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the American Red Cross has raised $37,000.
The total amount combines donations from online giving via Nashville SC’s website, the match-worn jersey auction and NGUOY patch sales. The overwhelming response from the Major League Soccer family and beyond gave the Nashville community the spark it needed to stay strong and keep pushing through.
The support reached an unprecedented level when Nashville SC and the Portland Timbers paid tribute to Middle Tennessee by wearing commemorative “Never Give Up On You” patches on their jerseys on Sunday, March 8. Signs of encouragement and hope filled Providence Park that day, including a “Rose City loves Music City” banner that hung in front of the Timbers Army during the nationally televised match on ESPN.
The Portland Timbers put competition and rivalries aside when the club donated a portion of ticket sales from the match to support the cause.
In addition to raising money, thousands of first responders and local volunteers showed up with emergency supplies, work gloves and chainsaws in hand, ready to help their neighbors recover and rebuild. Among the masses was Nashville SC defender Taylor Washington, who, along with several of his teammates, took action to support the city he calls home.
“It was inspiring to see from when the minute that the tornado touched down, people were already on social media promoting what we could do to help,” Washington said. “We wanted to do whatever we could to help the community.”
Following the tornadoes several players took the opportunity to serve by answering phone calls for the American Red Cross and cleaning up duties along Germantown and North Nashville. Defender Eric Miller lives in East Nashville with his wife and dogs. He has called Tennessee home for just two months, but is already inspired by the city’s response.
“It showed me how tight-knit of a community it is and how much people are rallying together to try to re-develop the neighborhoods as quickly as possible and to be there for people who had properties or lives lost,” Miller said. “Everyone is willing to give time and effort and financial backing to make Nashville recover quickly.”
Nashville SC is still accepting donations to the Never Give Up On You Fundraiser for the Middle Tennessee Tornado Relief. Click here to donate.
