Michigan musicians record 'A Michigan Christmas of Hope' to support No Child Forgotten Campaign benefiting Holy Cross Children's Services

DETROIT, Nov. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- To help improve the lives of thousands of abused, abandoned and neglected children throughout the state, more than 20 well-known Michigan musicians and groups recorded "A Michigan Christmas of Hope" CD to benefit Holy Cross Children's Services (HCCS). The CD is now available for a minimum donation of $10 on http://nochildforgotten.org/music, and will be available at two holiday concerts in December.

HCCS, one of the largest private providers of specialized schools and children's services in Michigan, will receive 100 percent of the profits from the sales. HCCS is an advocate for Michigan's forgotten children – the abused, abandoned and neglected – and provides services to more than 2,000 at-risk children and their families daily.

"The idea that some children don't have families to share this wonderful time of year with is painful. We are honored to be able to help provide a bit of happiness," said Aaron Letrick of LetricKramer, one of the groups who donated their time and music to record 16 original and new Christmas songs on the CD.

Each year, approximately 1,500 children in Michigan are in need of a foster family. Last year more than 33,000 Michigan children were confirmed as being abused, neglected or abandoned.

"There are thousands of children in need of loving and forever families throughout Michigan," said Brother Francis Boylan, CSC, executive director and president of HCCS. "The donations from the CD will assist us to give them the help they require, whether it's a safe place to stay or counseling or a foster home. We at Holy Cross are most grateful to all of the musicians who worked so hard on this CD, and to our board of directors who have underwritten the entire cost of the 'No Child Forgotten' campaign, and the great work of brothers Brian and Mark Pastoria, who produced it."

A portion of the proceeds from the Michael Bolton concert Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Macomb Music Theatre in Mount Clemens, Mich., will be donated to the HCCS "No Child Forgotten" campaign. "A Michigan Christmas of Hope" CD also will be available at the concert.

Detroit's own Karen Newman has two songs on the CD to support HCCS and the "No Child Forgotten" campaign. The CD also will be available at her "Christmas Eve on Woodward Avenue" event December 18 at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.

Amy Susan Heard of Sweet Crystal, another group that contributed to the CD, said: "We hope that our song 'The Light Of Christmas' will be both inspirational and motivational – our way of helping raise awareness and support for everything that HCCS does, day in and day out.  For this holiday season – for every season and for every child – let the light of Christmas shine."

Following is the complete list of musicians and their songs on "A Michigan Christmas of Hope:"

• Why On Earth – Frankie Turner and The Gentlemen Mutineers   
• Matching Snowflakes – Devin Scillian and Jill Jack
• Love for Christmas – Quentin Dennard
• It's Christmas – LetricKramer   
• Run Rudolph – Silver Bullet Band and DC Drive 
• This Christmas – The Infatuations  
• Faith – Skeleton Crew  
• Our First Christmas in Love – Joey Vee Band
• A Homeless Christmas Lullaby – Janine Sabino written by Mitch Albom    
• Wrap Yourself in Ribbon – Karen Newman and Devin Scillian 
• Christmas Cookies – Belle Islanders     
• Wandering Shepherd – Jeff Daniels, Stewart Francke and Devin Scillian      
• Grandmother's Christmas – Michael On Fire  
• The Light of Christmas – Sweet Crystal featuring Amy Heard
• The Prayer – Karen Newman and Corey Roberts  
• Mary (The Return from Calvary) – Mark Farner 

About Holy Cross Children's Services
Founded in 1948 by the Knights of Columbus, Holy Cross Children's Services (HCCS) is one of the largest private providers of specialized schools and children's services throughout Michigan. To give children their best chance at a successful life, HCCS advocates for Michigan's forgotten children – the abused, abandoned and neglected – and provides a network of services across the state that includes:  foster care, supervised independent living, specialized residential and day treatment services, community-based treatment services, onsite schools and neighborhood support centers.

HCCS is accredited by CARF International (Commission Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities) which recognizes HCCS as having the highest levels of transparency, integrity, and personalized care of at-risk children within all HCCS programs. For more information, visit www.nochildforgotten.org.

SOURCE Holy Cross Children's Services