Grafton, Wisconsin – Two-time Grammy Award winners Kool & the Gang released a music video for their new song, “Hometown Heroes” that features 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.

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.

Kool & the Gang will be further supporting the camp by launching the Camp Hometown Heroes Teespring Campaign, "Kool Hometown Heroes". Camp Hometown Heroes T-shirts will be sold at the following site: teespring.com/koolhometownheroes from September 9th thru September 15th, with proceeds benefiting the camp. Each shirt purchased includes a FREE download of Kool & the Gang's new song, "Hometown Heroes". After their visit to the camp, Kool shared the following sentiments, “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

www.facebook.com/camphometownheroes