Jay DeMarcus, left, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts perform at the Sommet Center Friday night. The group raised more than $829,000 at the concert for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Rascal Flatts show brings in new record for Children’s Hospital
Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts are all smiles after presenting a check of $829,581 to Kevin Churchwell, M.D., center, for Children's Hospital. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Country group Rascal Flatts donated $829,581 in proceeds from last Friday night's sold-out concert at the Sommet Center to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.
The donation is the largest single fund-raising event ever for Children's Hospital, beating their own record after the band's donation of $817,000 from their 2006 concert. This is the third year the group has donated proceeds from their Nashville concert, bringing their total contributions to Children's Hospital to more than $2.2 million in three years.
“What Rascal Flatts has done is phenomenal,” said Kevin Churchwell, CEO of Children's Hospital. “I am amazed at the dedication the band has shown in support of patients and families in their hometown year after year. We simply can't thank them enough for their generosity.”
During a pre-show party on Friday, the members of Rascal Flatts — Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney — presented a check to Churchwell. LeVox, lead singer for the band, expressed that it was a community effort from the concert ticket buyers and “know that when you leave this place tonight, you have made a difference in someone's life.”
Also during the party, Rascal Flatts presented Children's Hospital with a photo collage plaque commemorating their visits to the children at the hospital over the past three years.
The band has previously pledged to raise at least $3 million for Children's Hospital. Rascal Flatts also thanked the Walt Disney Company, Lyric Street Records and the William Morris Agency for their support in the donation total.