Benefit News: Ways To Spread Holiday Cheer

The Bluebird Cafe is hosting benefit shows this month for NSAI, Best Buddies and Crossroads Campus.
Tonight, Dec. 9, 6 p.m.— Legislative fundraiser for NSAI featuring hit songwriters Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby, Barry Dean and Steve & Maggie. $15.
Dec. 9, 9 p.m.—Show hosted by duo Striking Matches to benefit Best Buddies, which creates opportunities for people with special needs. $20.
Dec. 17, 9 p.m.—The Bluebird Café’s annual Holiday Bash will feature Jay Patten, Toni Sehulster, Ric Lonnow and a host of others. It will benefit Crossroads Campus, which connects people in need with animals in need. $20.
Details and reservations at www.bluebirdcafe.com.
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Cumulus Nashville is hosting a toy drive for the Salvation Army today, Dec. 9, 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. The 7th annual Toy Field will be at the east side of LP Field, between Gates 1 and 2. This holiday season, the Salvation Army Forgotten Angel Program will reach over 9,000 children and elderly.
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Nashville’s The Little Pantry That Could is in the running for Walmart’s Food Pantry Holiday Makeover, which will award 75 food pantries each a $20,000 prize. The organization, which is supported by music industry leaders including CMT’s Leslie Fram and husband Lanny West of Tipping Point Entertainment, needs online votes to secure the money. Votes can be cast daily through Dec. 12 at walmart.com/holidaymakeover.
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The Band of Merrymakers has released debut single “Must Be Christmas” with a portion of proceeds to benefit MusiCares Foundation. The Band of Merrymakers is the brainchild of hit songwriters Sam Hollander and Kevin Griffin, and is comprised of a rotating cast of members of Lady Antebellum, Neon Trees, Fitz and The Tantrums, 311, Better Than Ezra, 3OH!3, Smallpools, The Mowglis, Sinclair, and The Honeymoons.