NFL Players, QB Matt Hasselbeck and Business Leaders Mark Record-Breaking IJM Fall Benefit Season

NFL Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck addresses IJM’s record-breaking event in Nashville

IJM President Gary Haugen (right) meets with venture capitalist Promod Haque and Professor Prabhu Guptara in San Francisco

San Francisco Committee Chairperson Peter Wagner (left) with Angelique Griepp, IJM’s Gary Haugen, Richard Palmer and Troy Griepp

Benefit Chairperson Amy Wagner addresses attendees in San Francisco

Nearly 800 supporters attended IJM’s fall Benefit in San Francisco

Members of top-40 rock band Green River Ordinance at the San Francisco Benefit: Geoff Ice (guitar), Denton Hunker (bass), Josh Jenkins (lead vocals).

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As two cities celebrated nearly a decade of hosting benefit dinners for IJM, the movement has never been stronger.

IJM supporters in Nashville and San Francisco broke records this fall season with some of their biggest events yet—raising resources for millions awaiting rescue around the world.

More than 550 from Nashville’s business, sport, legal and arts communities gathered in support of justice on September 25—IJM’s largest Nashville Benefit on record. Attendees enjoyed a musical performance from acclaimed artist Phil Madeira, with guests Cindy Morgan and Amy Stroup, and heard from IJM president and CEO Gary Haugen, who shared about IJM’s work to rescue individuals from slavery and help them rebuild lives in freedom.

Honorary chairpersons Matt and Sarah Hasselbeck mobilized the Tennessee Titans football team in support of IJM’s work—helping to raise over a quarter of a million dollars to support victims of slavery and human trafficking.

Alongside Matt and his wife, over 15 Titans players, families and leadership were in attendance, including Jake Locker, Will Witherspoon, Rusty Smith, Marc Mariani, Leroy Harris, Patrick Bailey, Kevin Malast and Colin Mooney. Titans General Manager Ruston Webster and Vice President of Community Relations Bob Hyde also attended.

“I am so grateful to have the Titans and the Nashville community rally together to support IJM,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. “We are proud to team up with IJM because, in our opinion, they are the best human rights organization in the world. Nashville’s continued support for IJM will truly change the lives of those facing violent oppression and equip local communities to protect the poor.”

Continuing this momentum, nearly 800 supporters in the San Francisco community made history at their city’s annual benefit dinner on October 18. The Bay Area raised more than one million dollars for IJM’s work.

After an invocation from Pastor John and Nancy Ortberg, IJM Director of Operations for South Asia Saju Matthew shared stories of transformation, and top-40 rock group Green River Ordinance performed.

Attendees included Bay Area business and philanthropy luminaries, including leading venture capitalists and IJM supporters Promod and Dorcas Haque (see Promod’s online Q and A about IJM here) and Peter and Amy Wagner, as well as Troy and Angelique Griepp, entrepreneurs Jennifer King and Tim Fredel, Oakland Raiders football players and other passionate San Franciscans.

“We are encouraged by the entrepreneurial spirit of the Nashville and San Francisco communities,” says Melissa Russell, IJM’s national director of strategic partnerships. “By investing in IJM’s work over the last ten years, they have helped prove to the world that is possible to: rescue thousands, protect millions and ensure that justice for the poor is possible.”

IJM hosts benefits across the U.S. each year. For more information, including inquiries about local host committees and table sponsor or ticket opportunities, contact Jackie Willert at events@ijm.org or visit IJM.org/benefits.

IJM wishes to thank members of the Nashville host committee—including chairpersons Bill and Maria Lee and Tim and Carissa Pereira, as well as honorary chairpersons Matt and Sarah Hasselbeck —and members of the San Francisco host committee—including chairpersons Amy and Peter Wagner and Paul Yanosy—for their contributions to the success of these events.