Preds Foundation To Rename Grants Program After Former Senior Vice President Gerry Helper

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The Nashville Predators Foundation empowered by SmileDirectClub will be renaming the Preds Foundation Grants Program to the Preds Foundation “Helper Grants” honoring recently retired Predators Senior Vice President and Senior Advisor, Gerry Helper.

Helper retired in December of 2021 after a 40 year long career in the NHL. He had been with the Predators for 24 years.

“We are beyond honored to rename our grants program after Gerry Helper,” says Rebecca King, VP of Community Relations for the Nashville Predators. “Gerry has played an instrumental role in the Preds Foundation since inception and has helped in awarding more than $20 million to the Middle Tennessee community through Predators Foundation grants and other programs. He is very deserving of this recognition and legacy.”

Along with the renaming, the Nashville Predators Foundation will be donating $24,000 in Helper’s name to two different charities–one thousand dollars for each year of his 24 years of service to the Nashville Predators and the Middle Tennessee community. A donation of $12,000 is being donated to the Athletics Fund at St. Bonaventure University, Helper’s alma mater, and another $12,000 is being donated to Williamson County CASA, one of Helper’s favorite local charities.

The Preds Foundation 2022 Helper Grant application cycle is currently open until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28. The Preds Foundation board review committee will review the grants in February, vote to approve in March, and announce the 2022 recipients in April. Funding will be allocated in May.

In 2021, the Preds Foundation distributed a record amount of $735,000 to 187 middle Tennessee non-profit organizations.

Steven Boero
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