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Nashville Dancin’ Presented by Dollar General to Bolster Three Local Charities this Summer

 

Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and PENCIL Foundation will receive donations throughout the eight-week concert series via t-shirt sales, silent auction and onsite donations

Nashville, Tenn. – June 4, 2013 - Nashville Dancin' presented by Dollar General is bringing more than great tunes to Music City’s riverfront this summer. The new concert series announced today that it will raise money and awareness for three local charities: Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and PENCIL Foundation. In addition to T-shirt sales and a silent auction, volunteers will be stationed at the events to collect donations and answer questions about their work throughout Nashville Dancin’s eight-week run.

“We are thrilled to highlight the good work of these organizations at our events,” said Angie Gore, festival partner for the concert series. “We chose them because they directly affect and improve the lives of people in our Middle Tennessee community. Nashville Dancin’ presented by Dollar General is a ultimately a community event, and we feel it’s important to give back to the people who support us…”

Donations to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation will assist others improve their lives through literacy and education by supporting initiatives aimed at helping both adults and youths improve basic literacy skills including learning to read and speak English.

“The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is honored to be chosen as a charitable recipient during the Nashville Dancin’ concert series,” said Denine Torr, Dollar General’s director of community initiatives. “The generosity and support of literacy initiatives will help positively impact lives in our Middle Tennessee community.”

Donations made to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt will support hundreds of specialty programs such as Pediatric Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, and Orthopedics that provide care for children suffering from broken bones to protracted illnesses.

"We are so delighted to be chosen as one of Nashville Dancin’s charities of choice," said Luke Gregory, chief executive officer of Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.  "We are extremely grateful to be a part of such an amazing community event interested in helping support children’s health. The money raised will help provide the very best care to our patients and families.”

Funds for the PENCIL Foundation will support the LP PENCIL Box, which distributes free school supplies for economically disadvantaged students in Metro Nashville’s public schools.

“PENCIL is honored to be a part of Nashville Dancin' to encourage community support of Nashville's children who attend Metro Nashville Public Schools,” said Denise Hickerson, development director for PENCIL Foundation. “The donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar through a matching grant from the Louisiana-Pacific Foundation.”

Each week, Nashville Dancin’ fans will also have access to custom-made Nashville Dancin’ T-shirts designed by local artists Sheila B and Ryan McCauley. All profits from T-shirt sales will support the three charities, along with proceeds from a silent auction showcasing original pieces of artwork by Sheila B and Ryan McCauley. Visit Sheila B’s website at http://www.sheilabware.com/. Visit Ryan McCauley’s website at http://www.ipaintrobots.blogspot.com/.

“We love Sheila B’s and Ryan McCauley’s work and are pleased that they are creating timely, wearable art for our T-shirts,” said Tom Morales, festival creator and producer of the concert series. “We love to support local.”

Nashville Dancin’ presented by Dollar General will run every Thursday between June 13 and August 1 at 5 p.m. at Nashville’s Riverfront Park. August 1 will be a 21+ show.

ABOUT DOLLAR GENERAL LITERACY FOUNDATION

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $81 million in grants to non-profit organizations, helping more than 4.7 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education. To learn more, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

ABOUT PENCIL FOUNDATION
PENCIL Foundation is the premier organization linking community resources of both volunteers and materials with Metro Nashville Public Schools. PENCIL administers educational programs that involve the community as volunteers and mentors, provide academic enrichment opportunities, prepare students for graduation and get school supplies in the hands of children who need them. For more information, visit www.pencilfoundation.org.

ABOUT MONROE CARELL JR. CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT VANDERBILT
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a freestanding hospital dedicated to serving only children, is nationally recognized as a leading provider of pediatric health care services. Experts treat and work to prevent all health issues ranging from common childhood conditions to serious, advanced diseases. Featuring Centers of Excellence for the treatment of diabetes and congenital heart disorders, Children’s Hospital also operates the region’s only Level 1 pediatric trauma unit and a neonatal intensive care unit with the highest designated level of care. In addition, Children’s Hospital is a top-level teaching and research facility. No child is denied care on basis of limited ability to pay. For more information, visit  www.childrenshospital.vanderbilt.org/.