Many mid-state non-profit groups raised money in the biggest fundraiser of the year, the Big Payback.
The Payback is a 24-hour event aimed at raising money for Tennessee's non-profits. On Thursday, representatives with the Big Payback announced the event raised $2.6 million.
According to reports, the preliminary closing amount was $2,598,701 which came from 20,695 total gifts. That brought the event's total amount throughout its four-year history to more than $9.3 million.
One of the groups raising money was the Nashville Predators. The Preds Foundation gave more than half a million dollars to Tennessee non-profits.
The team raises money for the Big Payback all year long, and this year, it paid off. They were able to give its largest donation to date.
A total of 129 non-profits received a check from the foundation on Wednesday that'll help pay for programming and services grant money may not cover.
"Whether they got a small grant or a large grant, it's a grant that matters to them and the cause and the work they do out in the community. It's a time for us to remember that it's these charitable and community service organizations, their staff and their people are the real heroes in the community," said Gerry Helper.
One of the non-profits that benefited from donations was the Sexual Assault Center of Tennessee. It gives hundreds of counseling sessions to victims across the state every year.
The Sexual Assault Center hosted a yoga class at Kali Yuga in East Nashville Wednesday night.
It cost $15 to participate, but 100 percent of the proceeds went to the Center. The yoga class raised money for therapy programs that grant money won't cover.
