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After being touched by the words of Lionel Richie's song “Goodbye” during the funeral of the father of a dear friend, Kevin contacted “LBR MUSIC” and requested the mechanical rights to perform this song, and create a revised French version in order to respect both Canadian Official Languages. As well, he was attempting to assist the Silver Cross parents of a local friend, who was killed during a friendly fire incident, to set up a scholarship fund for the children of fallen soldiers.
With their assistance, he lobbied to have this project recognized as a Heritage Canada tribute to the fallen soldiers' and their families. When all funding attempts failed with the Provincial and Federal Governments were turned down, he was more determined than ever and financed the project himself and asked a few people to help him along the way. Thanks to the lyricist Benoit Brisson and the French Canadian Group “Medius”, Kevin presented a demo to Lionel Brockman Richie Music and was pleasantly surprised to discover that the project was granted the mechanical licenses and that Adieu was made part of the ASCAP (American Society of Composers Artists and Publishers) repertoire.
Because of Kevin’s series of personal losses, tragedies and trials and tribulations, along with knowing the financial struggles and loss associated with sickness, he wanted to simply raise better awareness of the needs of improved cancer treatments in his own community and other regional community hospitals in Eastern Ontario. He also wanted to assist the families, and especially the children, left behind as a casualty of war. He now shares this vision with the assistance of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation and the Cornwall Community Hospital Foundation and, thanks to the Poland Family and the Royal Canadian Regiment, a Special Education Fund was set up named the RCR Education Fund for Children of Fallen Soldiers at CFB Petawawa, ON. |
