Simple Plan Donate To Charitable Organizations

06/19/08 4:00pm

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

Simple Plan engaged in some philanthropy this week when their Simple Plan Foundation presented several charitable organizations with portions of $100,000 in total donations.

The Montreal pop-punks recently donated funds and gifts to 15 local, national and international charitable organizations and two schools. In addition to a financial donation, Ecole Jean-Piaget, a specialized institution for children with special needs, will receive several hundred CDs from Warner Music Canada for its music therapy program. College Beaubois will receive a donation geared towards the purchase of musical instruments, which Simple Plan are making in recognition of Robert Montpetit, the music teacher who taught four members of the group.

Simple Plan launched the Simple Plan Foundation during a show at Montreal's Bell Centre in 2005. Its goal is to help young people who are dealing with problems, illness and handicaps, as well as those affected by war.

"We started the Simple Plan Foundation as a way to give back to our community and make a difference," said a statement from the band, who took the people's choice favourite Canadian group honour for "When I'm Gone" at Sunday's MuchMusic Video Awards. "As a result of our personal experience and after reading hundreds of letters and emails from fans and talking to them at our shows, we are very sympathetic to the problems facing teenagers today.

"Also, having had the opportunity to travel the world, we've seen first-hand the harsh realities of children living in war-torn areas. We strongly believe that every child deserves a happy childhood and we hope that we can make a modest contribution."

Here are the organizations that received donations from the Simple Plan Foundation:

Children's Wish Foundation
College Beaubois
Ecole Jean-Piaget
Jeunes Au Travail
Kids Help Phone
La Maison De Jeunes Kekpart
La Maison Des Jeunes De Rimouski
Le Garde-Manger Pour Tous
Les Ateliers Art-Go
Les Auberges Du Coeur
Les Grands Amis De La Region De Matane
LEUCAN
The Lighthouse, Children And Families
The Oasis
On The Tip Of The Toes Foundation
Portage
War Child Canada

Simple Plan will perform a Canada Day show at Quebec City's Plains Of Abraham and do an acoustic show on Aug. 17 at Montreal's Mel's Cite Du Cinema to launch their 2008-2009 fundraising campaign. They'll follow that with a Canadian tour that will hit these cities:

Aug. 19 St. John's, NL @ Mile One Stadium
Aug. 21 Halifax, NS @ Metro Centre
Aug. 22 Moncton, NB @ Coliseum
Aug. 23 Saint John, NB @ Harbour Station
Aug. 25 Chicoutimi, QC @ Centre Georges Vezina
Aug. 26 Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
Aug. 28 Ottawa, ON @ Scotiabank Place
Aug. 29 Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheatre
Aug. 30 London, ON @ John Labatt Centre
Sept. 3 Vancouver, BC @ Pacific Coliseum
Sept. 5 Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
Sept. 6 Calgary, AB @ Pengrowth Saddledome
Sept. 8 Saskatoon, SK @ Credit Union Centre
Sept. 9 Winnipeg, MB @ MTS CentreSept. 13 Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre