Benefit News (3/15/12)

Country artists Ty Herndon, Bucky Covington, Bo Bice, Carter’s Chord, and Mockingbird Sun were among the performers at the Autism Sings! benefits this week at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville. The event raised funds to benefit research efforts for Autism research.

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Rodney Atkins recently teamed up with WRIL/the Big 106 and Massey Ferguson for an all-day radio drive to raise money for disaster relief to communities of Harrogate, TN; West Liberty, KY; and East Bernstadt, KY that were affected by recent storms. Atkins is a native of Harrogate. Donations can still be made through Atkins’ website here.

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Big Machine Records trio Edens Edge is teaming up with St. Louis Sam’s Club associates today (March 15) to raise awareness of hunger in the United States. Starting at 11 am, Edens Edge and Sam’s Club volunteers will load pallets of food into trucks and deliver the donation the St. Louis Area Foodbank. More info at outnumberhunger.com.

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Gilda’s Club Nashville is presenting “Humor, Heart and Hope: Laughter Through the Cancer Journey,” a program designed to inform and inspire attendees to use the power of humor while living with cancer. The program takes place at 6 pm on Tuesday, March 20, at the Gilda’s Nashville Clubhouse. More info here.

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Trace Adkins is offering fans who attend his Songs & Stories Tour a chance to see him from the first five rows and meet him backstage, and the proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and NRA Country Cares. Packages are on sale at tickets-for-charity.com.

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Tracy Lawrence was named an honorary Operation Troop Aid board member following his performance at Cadillac Ranch during Country Radio Seminar. Operation Troop Aid Founder/CEO Mark Woods presented Lawrence with the certificate, an honor shared by Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, and Darius Rucker.

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Darryl Worley has re-recorded “The Fishin’ Hole,” the iconic theme song from The Andy Griffith Show, in conjunction with the state of Tennessee to raise funds for fisheries. Fans can text FISH to 50555, which will add a $10 donation to the user’s phone bill to be received by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation. See a video of the song here.

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Texas favorite Granger Smith is again partnering with the Boot Campaign to walk 100 miles in combat boots from South Austin to the Ft. Hood military post in Killeen. The campaign helps raise awareness of soldiers transitioning back home after combat. More info here. www.BootCampaign.com

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Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music will host SENSE Theatre – A Stage of Hope For Children With Autism at 7 pm on Wednesday, April 18. Performers will include Jeri Sager (CATS), singer/songwriter Tammy Vice, Ryan Michaels Band, SENSE Theatre “Bridges and Earworms” Summer Camp Participants, and members of the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.