Jelly Roll is on a mission to create the “biggest toy drive in Nashville history.”
Jelly Roll continues to show his heart for children with his latest philanthropic initiative. The rapper-turned-country singer recently wrapped up his Backroad Baptism tour which raised nearly $600k for at-risk youth, and has now shifted his focus to leading a record-breaking toy drive in Tennessee.
Jelly Roll announced the toy drive on social media on October 19th, revealing that he has partnered with Hasbro, Coca-Cola, iHeart, and Metro Nashville to create the “biggest toy drive in Nashville’s history.”
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Jelly Roll returned to his hometown of Antioch, TN for a free parking lot concert to celebrate the toy drive.
On Saturday (Nov 4), Jelly Roll returned to his hometown of Antioch, TN – just a few miles southeast of Nashville – to treat fans to a pop-up concert in a Walmart parking lot. Anyone who donated a new, unwrapped toy to the holiday toy drive received free admission to the show. Hundreds of fans traveled from all over Tennessee to see Jelly Roll and numerous shopping carts were filled with donated toys that will go on to bless children this holiday season.
During the set, Jelly Roll performed some of his biggest hits, like “Need a Favor,” and the crowd can be heard singing along. Giving back to the children of Antioch is a personal cause to Jelly Roll, and he explained to the fans that he grew up only “about three minutes” from the Walmart where the show took place.
Nashville Mayor, Freddie O’Connell, attended the show and showed his support for the cause.
Before the performance on Saturday, Jelly Roll tweeted: “Someone tell the Mayor come see us today in Antioch.”
As it turns out, that request was met. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell joined Jelly Roll and fans in Antioch and even addressed the crowd briefly from the stage. O’Connell thanked Jelly Roll for “giving back so much.”
Someone did.
Thanks for kicking off the biggest toy drive in Nashville history.
And for giving back so much and celebrating Antioch. https://t.co/bh4tQlseMX pic.twitter.com/LTXErPPtHz
— Freddie O’Connell (@freddieoconnell) November 4, 2023
The toy drive is happening at eight Nashville Walmart locations through December 15th.
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It is unclear if/when there will be more pop-up concerts during the toy drive, but stay tuned for more updates!