Former Preds Captain Fisher Still Making Impact in Nashville Community

Mike Fisher doesn't want the credit or publicity, and understandably so.

Professional hockey players - whether they're active or retired - are humble beings. They often view work in the community as much more than just part of the job description. As Fisher puts it, he's always felt a calling to serve the city in which he resides, and it doesn't matter if anyone else knows about it.

But without an assist from the former Predators captain, three Nashville-area organizations wouldn't have each received a check for $20,000 on Tuesday.

That's worth a stick tap.

Fisher, along with the Nashville Predators Foundation presented by SmileDirectClub, announced the distribution of proceeds from the inaugural CATCHIN' DEERS Mike Fisher Celebrity Clay Shoot presented by Implement Now had been donated to three local nonprofits: Nashville Inner City Ministry, Rocketown and Room In The Inn.

The clay shoot fundraiser raised more than $75,000 to benefit Middle Tennessee nonprofits, and each of the three beneficiaries received $20,000, with the remaining funds set to be allocated in the future.

"Over the years, I've had the opportunity to work with a lot of different charities, and I think we're created to help others," Fisher said Tuesday via video conference. "There's a feeling and a sense, and it comes from part of my faith too, but you get some purpose out of helping others. God gave me a platform to use, and I haven't always used it well - failed at times - but when you do, I think that's why we're all here is to help out."

Each of the three organizations always need assistance, as they fulfill their specific missions, but considering the current circumstances that have affected all of us in some way, those needs have grown tenfold.

Nashville Inner City Ministry plans to use the funds to provide meals and transportation to six low-income housing areas in the Nashville community.

Rocketown has remained focused on feeding hundreds of families, who were displaced and devastated by the tornadoes as well as assisting families affected by the COVID-19 health crisis. In addition to weekly food deliveries, the organization is providing computers to local children to help them complete their school year online, and they will utilize funding to sustain and advance these programs and outreach for at-risk youth in need.

Finally, Room In The Inn, provides a variety of programs for those who call the streets of Nashville home. During this time, many of Room In The Inn's residents have experienced job loss or reduced hours, which has increased the need to provide food, and they'll use the money to make sure those in need don't go hungry.

While each of their goals differ from one another, all three of the aforementioned organizations agree that without the help of people like Fisher and the Preds Foundation, they simply wouldn't be able to do what they do.

"The Preds Foundation is amazing," Rocketown Executive Director Kenny Alonzo said. "In a city that now has four professional franchises, there is really only one that stands out as far as philanthropic efforts are concerned, and it's the Preds Foundation. No offense to anyone else on any of the other three, but they don't even come close with what the Preds Foundation does in our community. whether there's a need, they're always the first to step up."

"[The Predators] have definitely set the standard [for community service]," Nashville Inner City Ministry Director of Education Todd Flowers said. "I don't know how many times I've heard other nonprofits and other organizations and even some of our volunteers wondering when some of the other sports teams are going to follow suit and be able to get to the level that the Predators are. I realize they're doing a lot of good, but the Predators have really set the standard, probably not just for our city, but nationally as well. I really appreciate the good things that they've done not just with us but with hundreds of other nonprofits as well."

Fisher retired from playing - for the second and final time - following the 2018 postseason, but even though his No. 12 doesn't appear on Bridgestone Arena ice any longer, he still has a passion for the city that is still home.

"The Predators Foundation makes it really easy to get players involved," Fisher said. "They do such a great job and make it enjoyable, and that's why I'll always be part of it while I'm here… There's a sense of fulfillment in doing something beyond your playing days and helping out the best you can."

That mindset is what will keep Fisher on the frontlines in any way possible. Those at Room In The Inn have seen it time and time again over the past decade, and with the Mike Fisher Legacy Project still going strong after being established with the organization in the fall of 2017, the former captain will likely be one of the first to drop by again when it's safe to do so.

"Mike's been at our campus so many times that nobody knew about, and that has rolled into other people's lives as well, which is an encouragement to us and an encouragement to our community,' Room In The Inn Community Development director Melanie Barnett said. "People are hurting. There's a lot of impact, and this impact is going to be felt for a while, and we're looking at that as an agency as to how we can be sustainable and continue the work. With partners like the Predators and the Foundation, I know we're going to be OK."

Fisher knows the impact from COVID-19 reaches far beyond the nonprofits as well, and just as he has to so many in Nashville over the years, he wanted to offer a message of hope to those who may be struggling in these difficult times.

"We're going to get through it, and get through it stronger," Fisher said. "I look back on my life and some of those tough times that I've gone through, and those are the times that strengthen you, build you and can build your faith. Those are the moments and times that God really uses. There's a lot of people that are struggling, and I think God's going to use it all and strengthen us all and definitely get through it stronger."