Two-time Grammy Award winners Kool & the Gang recently released a music video for their new song, “Hometown Heroes” featuring children of fallen U.S. service members. The video was filmed at this summer’s Camp Hometown Heroes session as part of a surprise to the campers by two members of Kool & the Gang: Robert “Kool” Bell and George “Funky” Brown.
Camp Hometown Heroes is a free week-long overnight summer camp for children and younger siblings of fallen U.S. service members,who have died in any manner – combat, accidents, suicide, illness or any manner of death.This camp is specifically designed to provide children ages 7-17 with opportunities for friendship, fun, acceptance, and personal growth. Through the support of pediatric grief specialists the children and teenagers are provided the chance to grieve and heal. Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of donors, Camp Hometown Heroes is provided free of charge to all children who attend. Air travel is also provided free of charge to all campers who need it.Camp Hometown Heroes is operated by Hometown Heroes. Partners include non-profit grief support entity Kyle’s Korner.
Kool & the Gang headlined Camp Hometown Heroes’ signature fundraising event, the Grand Slam Charity Jam, in March 2015. The band was so inspired by Camp Hometown Heroes and its mission that they wrote and recorded a song specifically for the organization. The songwriter of “Hometown Heroes” is George “Funky” Brown, who wrote some of Kool & the Gang’s biggest hits including “ Celebration,” and “Ladies Night” is also known for his work in Pulp Fiction, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Hitch and numerous other soundtrack credits. “We owe a tremendous debt to the brave men and women who’ve worn and wear the uniforms of United States military for the sacrifice of their lives and to the children and family members they leave behind,” George “Funky” Brown stated.
After their visit to the camp, Kool said, “It was a pleasure coming out, seeing the kids and watching them put the video together…they were so into it! We loved them and wish much success for their future. Get Down On It and Celebrate life!" The official music video of "Hometown Heroes" can be seen here: https://youtu.be/e8isj4HPVK4
Camp Hometown Heroes is a free, national week-long summer camp hosted in Wisconsin for children who’ve lost a loved one who served in the U.S. Military. The Camp Hometown Heroes experience, including air travel, has grown from 62 children in its inaugural year in 2013 to being full at upwards of 140 campers attending the upcoming June session. The children who attend the camp come from 27 different states.
Camp Hometown Heroes has welcomed celebrity guests before, including NFL Superstar J.J. Watt, U.S. Olympic gymnast Chellsie Memmell and American Idol finalist Naima Adedapo. Camp Hometown Heroes was also featured in the most recent season of the “It’s Aaron” series featuring NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Camp Hometown Heroes is specifically designed to provide children, ages 6-17, with opportunities for friendship, acceptance and personal growth. Through the support of pediatric grief specialists from the Kyle’s Korner non-profit organization and the guidance of longtime national summer camp leaders, the children are given the opportunity to grieve and heal in a warm, caring environment with others who can relate to their personal stories.
“By losing a loved one who served our great nation, these families paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy each day,” said co-Founder Neil Willenson. Co-Founder Jim Kacmarcik added, “We owe it to their departed loved ones to provide these kids and their families with incredible opportunities for friendship, healing and fun.”
For more information about Camp Hometown Heroes, visit www.hometownheroes.org or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/camphometownheroes.
