Nashville Strong, Redux — How to Help
Christmas morning’s terrorist bombing of 2nd Avenue was yet another heart-punch to a city already battered and bruised by the March 3 tornado and COVID-19 pandemic.
While we’re incredibly fortunate that no lives were lost in the bombing, pictures of the scene are both astounding and heartbreaking. It’s a historic loss from which Nashville will never fully recover, compounded when one considers the loss of people’s homes and livelihoods.
Fortunately, as the last year has proven, “Nashville Strong” is anything but an empty slogan. As we move into a new year with hope for the future, here are a few ways you can help out your fellow Nashvillians or where to seek help.
On Tuesday, Mayor John Cooper announced the United Way of Greater Nashville is activating its disaster relief Restore the Dream Fund to accept and administer donations to support the community. The funds will be used to ensure individuals and families receive the assistance they need to meet their basic needs during this difficult time. This may include employees who are out of work due to the unforeseen closure of area restaurants and businesses and individuals whose homes were destroyed.
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United Way is now accepting donations to its disaster relief fund at unitedwaygreaternashville.org or by texting “RESTORE 20” to 41444. Individuals who have been affected by the bombing and need immediate assistance should call United Way’s 24-hour resource and referral line at 211 or visit 211.org for help.
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and News Channel 5 WTVF have established the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund to provide financial assistance to nonprofits providing immediate and long-term assistance to those affected by the Christmas Day bombing. Make a donation on the CFMT website.
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Several Second Avenue businesses damaged by the bombing have set up GoFundMe pages to help out their employees. The following links connect you to to the individual pages and feature more information about how the donations will be distributed.
Ensemble Nashville Boutique, Pride and Glory Tattoo, and Simply the Best $10 Boutique combined fund
The Melting Pot
In addition to these funds, a GoFundMe has also been set up to benefit Chef Jess Lambert of the SoBro restaurant Etch. Lambert and her boyfriend, Can Kınaç, lost their apartment and most of their belongings in the blast.
