Mike Fisher, Preds Foundation Donate $60,000 from Celebrity Clay Shoot

Nashville, Tenn. (May 5, 2020) - Former Predators Captain Mike Fisher and the Nashville Predators Foundation announced today, on Giving Tuesday, that proceeds from the inaugural CATCHIN' DEERS Mike Fisher Celebrity Clay Shoot presented by Implement Now will be donated to three local non-profits - Nashville Inner City Ministry, Rocketown and Room In The Inn.

The clay shoot fundraiser, with participation from various Predators personalities and other celebrities, was held at Nashville Gun Club on Nov. 18. The event raised more than $75,000 to benefit Middle Tennessee non-profits. Each of the three beneficiaries will receive $20,000, with the remaining funds to be allocated in the future.

"My family and I are super grateful for all of the sponsors, attendees and supporters who helped bring this inaugural event to life," Fisher said. "We love the work that Nashville Inner City Ministry, Rocketown and Room In The Inn are doing in the community, especially during this challenging time, and we're eager to contribute to their causes."

One recipient, Nashville Inner City Ministry, will use the funds to provide meals and transportation to six low-income housing areas in our community. Since the recent tornadoes and onset of the COVID-19 health crisis, Nashville Inner City Ministry has served over 30,000 meals, including more than 12,000 meals for Metro Nashville school children. Additionally, the non-profit has delivered vital emergency food boxes, household goods and cleaning supplies.

"This outreach program will continue well into the summer months," Nashville Inner City Ministry Director of Education Todd Flowers said. "This grant from the Nashville Predators and Mike Fisher will go a long way in helping to offset some of the expenses of this outreach effort. As well, the grant helps to provide school supplies for many of our students for the coming school year and helps to cover some of our badly needed operational expenses at a time when the economy is not doing well."

Rocketown, which offers a variety of resources to all youth free of charge, is another recipient that continues to serve Nashville during this uncertain time. Although some of its resources, such as after-school programs, sports and skate parks, are currently unavailable, the non-profit has remained focused on feeding hundreds of families who were displaced and devastated by the tornadoes as well as assisting families affected by the COVID-19 health crisis. In addition to weekly food deliveries, Rocketown is providing computers to local kids to help them complete their school year online. Rocketown will utilize funding to sustain and advance these programs and outreach for at-risk youth in need.

"The Nashville Predators often demonstrate how caring adults and coaches can have a positive impact on young people, often a life-changing impact," Rocketown Executive Director Kenny Alonzo said. "Mike and Carrie Fisher have been personally involved with Rocketown for the past 10 years. Likewise, Predators CEO Sean Henry has served on the board at Rocketown and has been involved for almost 10 years. We are so grateful for the support that the Nashville Predators have demonstrated to young people at Rocketown an throughout the entire community. This gift from the Nashville Predators Foundation and Mike Fisher could not have come at a better time. When youth need support, counsel and guidance, the Predators step up their game."

The third recipient, Room In The Inn, provides a variety of programs for those who call the streets of Nashville home. These programs emphasize human development and recovery through education, self-help and work. Room In The Inn also offers 37 onsite supportive housing units and meals for up to 300 individuals each day. During this time, many of Room In The Inn's residents have experienced job loss or reduced hours, which has increased the need to provide food. To support this residential group and many other guests, the non-profit has implemented food box and Kroger gift card deliveries and a food pantry with non-perishable food items and personal hygiene supplies, among other things.

"Once again, the Room In The Inn community is blessed by the kindness and generosity of Mike Fisher and the Nashville Predators Foundation," Room In The Inn Executive Director Rachel Hester said. "Proceeds from Mike's Celebrity Clay Shoot will support Room In The Inn's lunch program, as well as provide much-needed supplies and groceries for individuals who have recently moved from the streets to their own homes. Since October 2017, as a part of the Mike Fisher Legacy Project, the Nashville Predators have partnered on a monthly basis to provide, prepare, and serve lunch to nearly 300 individuals at our campus. The Preds are not just downtown neighbors, they are neighborly in all ways. We're so thankful to have Mike and the Preds as part of the Inn Crowd!"

In lieu of an in-person check presentation, Mike Fisher and the Predators Foundation will host a virtual ceremony to present each of the three organizations with their funding and to thank them for their service and commitment to our community.

About the Nashville Predators Foundation empowered by SmileDirectClub
The Predators Foundation has partnered with Nashville-based SmileDirectClub in an ongoing effort to meet educational, social, health and cultural needs throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. The Predators Foundation is devoted to using its platform and influence from its affiliation with professional sports to serve the needs of the community by offering unique resources and financial support to local youth-oriented organizations. Since its inception in 1998, the Predators Foundation has awarded $7.2 million in grants to the greater Nashville community. During the 2019-20 season alone, the Nashville Predators, Bridgestone Arena, Ford Ice Centers and Predators Foundation have contributed nearly $4 million in cash and in-kind gifts throughout the Nashville community and surrounding areas. To learn more about the Nashville Predators Foundation empowered by SmileDirectClub and to see a list of upcoming events, visit NashvillePredators.com/Foundation.