TORNADO RELIEF: Preds Foundation donates $50,000

Pictured l to r: Hal Gill, Predators' radio color analyst presents Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton and Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter a $50,000 donation check for tornado relief with help from Pred's Mascot Gnash on May 20 in Cookeville.

By Michelle Price
Special to the UCBJ

COOKEVILLE – The Nashville Predators Foundation empowered by SmileDirectClub (the “Predators Foundation”) traveled to Cookeville’s Red Silo Brewing Company on Wednesday afternoon to present a donation of $50,000 to Cookeville-Putnam County Tornado Relief Fund in support of their ongoing tornado relief and rebuilding efforts. 

“Following the natural disaster – which in Putnam County took 19 lives, injured 92 and destroyed dozens of homes and businesses – Cookeville has come together to provide for those who are in urgent need. This funding from the Predators Foundation will directly support the citizens of Cookeville and Putnam County who will require aid in many forms for months to come,” said a statement issued by the Predators Foundation. 

The check was presented during a “socially distant check presentation” to Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter and Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton by Predators’ Radio Color Analyst Hal Gill and Predators Mascot, Gnash. 

“We’re so appreciative to the Preds for this generous donation,” Porter said. “We had the worst disaster in our county’s history on March 3, and the outpouring from our community has been absolutely unbelievable.”

“We really appreciate this,” said Porter. “You are very, very kind. We had the worst disaster in our county’s history with the tornado. The amazing generosity of folks like the Preds that made our tornado relief fund be a huge success, over $2.2 million dollars, and 100% of that is going to tornado survivors. We appreciate you all so much. This is so generous.”

“We’re very thankful,” Shelton said. “We’ve already distributed about $2 million of our Tornado Relief Fund, and this will go a long way for a second distribution now. We’ll be able to get out to our folks, and we’re just really appreciative of the Predators and their assistance.”

The check presentation was held at Red Silo Brewing Company so that the Predators Foundation could also present Red Silo with a guitar trophy, which was earned by winning the fan vote at the 2019 Nashville Predators Craft Beer Fest. 

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