Chandler Walters hosted his first Walters Western Christmas event at Barstool Nashville on Thursday, December 11, performing a festive concert to support causes close to Walters’ heart. All proceeds from the show benefitted The USO and The Independence Fund, which provides programs and services to support the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual independence of U.S. service members, and a toy drive collected gifts for military families via the USO’s Holly Jolly Holiday Program.
Additionally, Walters was able to give a special gift to a U.S. military veteran, with the event and its donations gifting a track chair (an all-terrain motorized wheelchair) to Staff Sergeant Adam Peacock.
Peacock served in the U.S. Army for over eight years, completing two deployments to Iraq and earning multiple commendations. In 2007, he was struck by a vehicle while on the way to his duty station, sustaining injuries including a shattered lower leg, a broken femur, a bone driven through his hip and a severed femoral artery. He was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where surgeons performed eight amputations and removed Peacock’s entire femur in order to save his life.
Peacock currently lives in Clarksville, Tennessee and spends time being active outdoors, fishing and hunting. The veteran shared that his new chair “will allow me to get outside more often, get off the beaten path, and explore the outdoors with my daughter in new and exciting ways.”
Walters said in a statement that “it means a lot to me to have the opportunity to give back as part of something bigger than myself.” The Georgia native revealed that his grandfather is a veteran and he himself loves the outdoors, which he believes is “something that every person deserves the chance to enjoy. I hope the veteran donation and toy drive is a tradition we can keep going for years to come.”
Chandler Walters further reflected on the holiday event in an Instagram post after the fact, sharing a series of photos of himself and his band performing, as well as snaps with Peacock. “The first Walters Western Christmas is in the books,” the singer’s caption began. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who donated and had a hand in making this event happen.”
He continued, “Because of you, we were able to gift SSG Adam Peacock a track chair so he can get back to enjoying the outdoors with ease. Also giving SO MANY TOYS to veteran families who are in need. I believe this is the magic of Christmas and something we can come together to make possible.” Walters further thanked his partners in The USO, The Independence Fund and Barstool Nashville “for hosting a beautiful night” and thanked those who were in attendance at the event, concluding, “Lets [sic] do it again next year.”
Donations for the USO’s Holly Jolly Holiday Program are still open here through the end of December, and Walters shared on Instagram that any orders of the Cranberry Cringle at Barstool Nashville through the end of the month will donate $1 to charity.
