NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 5, 2013) – Award-winning music Icon Charlie Daniels, who hosts the annual Charlie Daniels & Friends benefit concert for Christmas for Kids, was thrilled to help raise more than enough funds for the upcoming kids shopping day, December 17th.   The money generated by the concert is used to give over 400 Nashville area children from 29 different schools, a day-long shopping excursion at the Hendersonville Wal-Mart.

Fellow artists Justin Moore, Sawyer Brown, Phil Vassar, and Rodney Atkins joined Daniels for his annual concert, which takes place at the Ryman Auditorium and was SOLD OUT.  During that show, Garth Brooks made a special video announcement [ watch | download ] in support of his longtime friend and bus driver Jim Payne, how passed away earlier this year.  Jim and his wife Carla have served on the Board of Directors of Christmas for Kids for many years.

“For me, especially, Christmas for Kids is always about Jim Payne. Jim and Carla are just so sweet people that believe in this effort so so much, so tonight we would like to announce that we are starting the Jim and Carla Payne Foundation for Christmas for Kids,” says Garth Brooks.  “We are going to make sure these kids have a Christmas long after, well unfortunately Jim, we are going make sure that this thing lives forever. It’s gonna live past me and it’s gonna live past all of you.  We are going to make sure of it.  Christmas for Kids can’t thank you guys enough. Thanks for what you are doing for the kids because the true meaning of Christmas is making sure every kid has enough.”

Christmas 4 Kids is a not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for over 25 years providing many children, each year, with their very own shopping spree.

“Big hats off and a big thanks to Charlie Daniels, I love you pal.  Can’t thank you enough for doing this for the kids,” adds Brooks.

The special day for those children that participate in Christmas for Kids consists of a chauffeured trip from their school aboard an entertainer’s luxury tour bus, dinner, and a party hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Hendersonville Expo Center. To wrap up the day, the tour buses journey to the Hendersonville, Tennessee, Wal-Mart, where the kids receive a brand new winter coat, and $150.00 to spend on anything they want!

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