Tim McGraw benefit concert raises over $200,000 for local veterans charities

LAKE MINNETONKA, Minn. (KMSP) - A special benefit concert featuring country music artist Tim McGraw raised more than $200,000 for two Minnesota veterans charities Saturday afternoon.

The free performance, called Liberty on the Lake, was held on the shores of Lake Minnetonka Saturday by Snap Fitness Founder and CEO Peter Taunton.

The money raised will go to Folds of Honor, which provides scholarships to families of military men and women who have been killed or disabled in combat. In addition, some of the proceeds will go to Helping Paws, which is a non-profit that breeds, trains and places assistance dogs with veterans suffering from PTSD.

Before the event began, some lucky veterans received special, front-row seats for the performance.

“We delivered coffee and donuts this morning,” said veteran Josh Click. “The Snap Fitness owner, he asked if anybody had served and was active military. I said I had and he said he’s gonna pick me up at 11. So, I was absolutely surprised, had no idea this was gonna happen.”

More than 1,000 boats and more than 5,000 people showed up to see McGraw’s show.