True Patriot Love Foundation launches Highway of Heroes concert tour

Limited-edition CD will raise awareness and funds for Canada's military, veterans and their families

TORONTO, July 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the True Patriot Love Foundation in partnership with Canadian musical icon John McDermott has launched a limited edition fundraising CD and three scheduled concerts along the Highway of Heroes. The new CD, Music in the Key of Giving, will be sold at all ONroute locations. Every dollar raised will support Canada's military, veterans and their families.

Joining the first True Patriot Love Heroes Tour will be Canadian military family members, musicians and supporters. John McDermott will host concerts at the ONroute Service Centres in Port Hope and Trenton. A third concert will be held at the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial in Trenton, ON.

"McDermott House of Canada is proud to partner with ONroute, President's Choice Financial and the True Patriot Love Foundation in supporting our troops and their families when they need it most. It is an honour to serve those who serve," said John McDermott.

Linda Blanchette, a military daughter, wife and mother, expressed her thanks, saying, "The military has been my whole life; between growing up the daughter of a soldier, marrying a soldier, and now being the mother of a soldier. My husband first got sick in 1995 when he came home from Bosnia. He will never be the same person I married as a result of his serious PTSD. Without support for military members and their families like ours, I know these ill and injured soldiers would be even worse off. They wouldn't have the care and support they need."

Also attending the Tour launch is Russell deCarle from the Canadian country roots band, Prairie Oyster and NHL great Wendel Clark.

"ONroute is pleased to provide hospitality along the Highway of Heroes for this initiative. We are providing Canadians with an opportunity to show their support for military families when they purchase a CD at any of our 17 locations across Ontario," said Ken Tanenbaum, Chairman of ONroute.

"The challenges facing our military families are unique and immense. This is our turn to support them after the sacrifices they have made to keep our country safe and strong," said Michael Burns, Vice-Chair and Co-Founder of the True Patriot Love Foundation.

ABOUT THE TRUE PATRIOT LOVE FOUNDATION - True Patriot Love honours the sacrifices of members of the Canadian Forces, Veterans and their families by:

• stepping in where governments are unable to, funding programs that support the physical, mental and social well-being of members of our military, no matter where they are posted—in Canada or abroad;
• promoting the special skills and capabilities of our military personnel resulting from their unique conditions of service; and
• providing a channel through which everyday Canadians, corporations and philanthropists can express their appreciation for our military and their patriotism.

Visit www.truepatriotlovefoundation.com for more information.

ABOUT ONROUTE - ONroute Service Centres are clean, bright and modern beacons of hospitality along the highway. There are 17 ONroute Service Centres open across the province on highways 401 and 400. Two more are scheduled to open this summer. The centres feature food, fuel, fully accessible and automated washroom facilities (including a fully accessible family washroom), free WiFi, pet areas, seasonal picnic areas, Wellington Standard for accessibility and RV Waste disposal (at select sites). Staffed tourism information centres are located at Tilbury South and Bainsville, Ontario. Visit http://onroute.ca/ for more information.

ABOUT MCDERMOTT HOUSE CANADA - McDermott House Canada is a registered charity founded by Canadian Singer John McDermott. The charity is dedicated to serving those who serve.

McDermott House Canada's mission is to promote the highest quality of life for patients facing the final stage of a terminal illness. John's passion for honouring veterans and the selfless sacrifices they make to preserve our liberties dates back to his childhood where he learned of love, war and loss from his family's personal stories and through their music.

The first project for MHC is the expansion and renovation of the Sunnybrook Palliative Care Unit in the Veteran's Centre, creating an innovative and warm, home-like environment for Canadian veterans, military, first responders and the community.

Visit http://www.johnmcdermott.com/ for more information.

The "Music in the Key of Giving" CD is an initiative led by ONroute, President's Choice Financial, and John McDermott, in support of the True Patriot Love Foundation.

Image with caption: "MUSIC IN THE KEY OF GIVING by John McDermott for True Patriot Love (CNW Group/True Patriot Love Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130703_C5115_PHOTO_EN_28739.jpg

SOURCE: True Patriot Love Foundation

CONTACT:

David Eisenstadt or Rachel Yager
tcgpr (The Communications Group Inc.)
[phone] ext.36 / 0
[email protected]
[email protected]