“I know one thing—never wear mascara to the life-recovery graduation at the Mission—the stories of redemption always move me to tears.”

 

“Nicholas and I are both happy to call Nashville home since 2004,” says Jill. “My husband’s office is one block away from the Mission, so I’ve known about the Mission for many years. For the past six years, we also owned a floating restaurant on Percy Priest Lake. Running a restaurant kept me busy, so I didn’t have time to volunteer at the Mission until 2010.”

 

When the flood hit in May 2010, Jill and Nick were blessed because the restaurant floated up and suffered little damage. Their restaurant was closed for 27 days because of the flooding, but opened back up after the water receded.

 

 

“We knew we couldn’t keep our food, generators or not,” shares Jill. “Our crew gathered all the food and floated down the river on a boat to take it to the Mission. What an experience! Dropping off our trailer is something I will never forget! The generosity of the guys that helped receive it and the genuine thankfulness they showed made it even more evident we were doing the right thing.”

 

When October came and the restaurant closed for the season, Jill made time to volunteer and learn more about the Nashville Rescue Mission. “Over the last several years, I have seen first-hand the impact the Mission can have on an individual,” shares Jill. “Mailing a check can never compare to the first day I volunteered. Just witnessing the love everyone has for God and the friendships that have developed among the guys in the program is so inspiring. It’s obvious they truly care about each other.”

 

 

Late 2011, Nick and Jill received news their restaurant lease was being terminated. It was sad, but it was also a blessing in disguise. Jill had always wanted to design a brand of sports t-shirts, but the timing was never right. After the restaurant closed, she had the time to pursue her dream.

 

“In August 2012, we started the new business,” says Jill. “Coming up with different ideas and designs was easy, but choosing the name was frustrating. Nick suggested CORN and when I asked him what it stood for he said, ‘Crazy Ole RedNeck.’ Well that has nothing to do with sports I told him. But the idea stuck and everyone we talked to loved the name.”

 

In October 2012, Jill and Nick started a giving back program: CORN CARES! “Choosing the Mission to be a part of CORN CARES was an easy decision,” says Jill. “I’ve seen what a difference this place has made in many lives. I’ve had the honor of watching several men complete the life-recovery program. The transformation is unbelievable. The Mission has the power to make an incredible impact on people’s lives. It’s a blessing to volunteer and donate to something so amazing.”