Trace Adkins Surprises Veterans With Performance, Donation to Wounded Warrior Project

In between shows on Trace Adkins' Christmas Show Tour, the singer made a surprise appearance for guests, staff and veterans at Nashville's Country Inn & Suites.

Adkins spent time helping out staff during the holidays by checking in guests from behind the front desk and performing a special holiday show. While there, Adkins joined the hotel and the Carlson Family Foundation in presenting a $50,000 check to the Wounded Warrior Project.

"It's great to be back in Nashville today working with Country Inns & Suites guests, staff and [the] Wounded Warrior Project," Adkins says. "I'm honored to help present this donation, which will help the Wounded Warrior Project fund efforts to assist heroes in getting back on their feet. It's an admirable thing, and I'm happy to help."

The funds will go specifically to the project's Economic Empowerment pillar, to help families with financial training, education and employment services.

"This generous donation from the Carlson Family Foundation will help make a significant impact on the lives of the many veterans and their families," says Teresa Nichols, manager of major gifts at the Wounded Warrior Project. "Last fiscal year, we placed more than 1,900 injured service members in meaningful careers through our Warriors to Work program, and this donation should help us meet our goal of placing 2,500 more warriors this year."

The singer is also helping make the holidays a little brighter for a deserving organization in each city on his tour. Adkins' stage setup features a large Christmas tree -- a new one at each stop. After the shows, the trees are donated to local community organizations.

"We've left them in women's shelters and homeless shelters and rescue missions and children's hospitals, different places," Adkins says, "and it's been such a great thing."

Adkins' Christmas Show Tour continues through Dec. 21 in Clearwater, Fla.