KISS partners with Legacy Australia
PRESS RELEASE:
For more than a decade, legendary rock band KISS has worked passionately with several programs in the US assisting returned servicemen and women.
KISS are keen to continue this very valuable work whilst in Australia and today, are pleased to announce they will be doing so on their national tour – courtesy of Legacy Australia.
In the US, KISS are active supporters of the Wounded Warrior Project, which is a non-profit organisation assisting men & women who have incurred service connected injuries, and the Hiring Our Heroes program, a US initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment.
KISS has raised awareness for both programs by regularly visiting recovering wounded veterans,raising money through donating proceeds from concert ticket sales and by giving returned veterans the opportunity to work as “KISS Roadies” on their tours. To date KISS has raised upwards of two million dollars in funds and millions more in awareness from media for their support of military veterans causes.
Most recently KISS hired three servicemen to be roadies during their three week residency at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, and prior, servicemen were hired to be “KISS Roadies” on the entire KISS/Def Leppard US summer tour, 2013 the KISS/Motley Crue tour and band’s UK tour.
In Australia, the band’s initiative will take on a slightly different feel! As Legacy’s main priority is the welfare of the widows and families of servicemen and women, it is widows around the country who will be given the unique opportunity to become a “KISS Roadie For A Day”.
When made aware of the incredible work Legacy does in Australia for war widows and their families, the band felt very passionately about recognising their strength and courage.
At each of the band’s seven Australian concerts starting in Perth on Saturday (October 3), Legacy Australia has selected a woman for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The ladies will work with the KISS team in the VIP Packages area. They will prep and build the area at each venue, meet and host the VIP fans who attend a special afternoon acoustic session, and help manage the VIP band photo opportunities. And of course, after all that hard work, sit back and enjoy the show!
The women are of various ages and have lost husbands or partners in different conflicts, including Shelley Kovco who lost her husband Jake in Iraq in 2006. She was left with two very young children on her own after his death and Legacy has assisted her with school fees, uniforms, books as well as much-needed emotional support for the whole family.
Shelley and Melbourne Legacy CEO, Mikaela Stafrace, met KISS in Melbourne last night. Shelley will be the KISS Roadie working at the Rod Laver Arena show next Thursday October 8.
Legacy Australia Chairman, Mr David Gray said it is a fantastic opportunity to be supported by one of the most famous rock bands in the world, helping raise not only awareness but give some of our very special ladies a “money can’t buy experience”.
“It really is such a tremendous opportunity, and we can’t thank KISS enough for the support they are giving our organisation while touring in Australia and helping raise awareness around the world,” he said. “KISS have a very close affiliation with service men and women in the US and we are very happy they have decided to support our vital work here in Australia. These ladies have made such a huge sacrifice and it is fabulous we are offering them something very, very, special in return.”
The first KISS Roadie will be ex-soldier Naomi Nary, who lost her Special Air Service Regiment husband David in a motor vehicle accident in Iraq. Naomi has two kids and has received significant support from Legacy.
Legacy is liaising with ladies from other states now, with the complete list being finalised over the weekend.
CONCERT DATES
Saturday October 3 PERTH Arena
Tuesday October 6 ADELAIDE Entertainment Centre
Thursday October 8 MELBOURNE Rod Laver Arena
Friday October 9 MELBOURNE Rod Laver Arena
Saturday October 10 SYDNEY AllPhones Arena
Monday October 12 NEWCASTLE Entertainment Centre
Tuesday October 13 BRISBANE Entertainment Centre