Support

In between songwriting and touring, the band makes it a point to perform at events that allow them to give back to causes that are close to them beginning with a performance on Veteran's Day at the Walter Reed Medical Center.

In 2010, they devoted hundreds of hours and expenses to the injured service men and women, contributing in free concerts last year, performing at Veteran's Medical Centers across the country.  They also performed an internet UStream benefit concert for a low income retirement home in DC, and finished the year at the LA Boys and Girl's Club, giving away hundred's of toys, just in time for Christmas. 

A driving force for Kim Cameron and her band Side FX is for those who serve in the Armed Forces.

After meeting a disheartened soldier and hearing his story, Kim was compelled to write My Hero in honor of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to keep citizens safe.

In efforts to raise awareness for issues facing returning, active duty soldiers, as well as our Nation's Veteran's the band continues to work with various organizations. Some of these are listed below.

Hopeful Hearts Tour

The band recently supported a non profit organization (Cowgirls Git R Dun) to raise money for our homeless Veterans.  This is the first year the organization began organizing an enormous event which called upon bikers across the country to ride for the cause.  

"With 76,000 homeless Veterans around the country, we felt it was time to surface the issue," says Kim Cameron.   Where possible, the band will join the bikers at various stops.

The band pulled together resources to put the word out including a massive phone campaign and social media publicity to help promote the event.  Now, in conjunction with the new CD release 'The Blond Side,' the band will continue to raise awareness for our homeless Veterans as they begin their Hopeful Hearts Tour starting this fall.

USO

Launching a new application on their Facebook page fans donated money towards the USO during a campaign.  In return, the band gives away a Free song 'We Will Never Fall Down'.  Just another step in the band's mission to support our military families in need.

Gifts

Kim and the band have contributed not only time to organizations that support our troops, but have donated:

-Over 400 Thumb Drives

-300 CDs

-Free Concerts across the country

-Provided Support to Patriot Guard Riders, Wounded Warriors, Mail Our Military & Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guard,  Airmens Club.

Medical Centers

In 2010, the band toured extensively throughout the country. On the way, they stopped and performed at a dozen medical centers including Atlanta, St. Louis, Miami, Tampa, Charleston, Asheville and many others. Meeting former soldiers, even those who served in World War II were amongst the hundreds of Veterans the band shared a song or two with. Those experiences were the highlight of their tour in 2010.

The Miami Herald quoted a recreational therapist,"The show also brings a little piece of home to the patients at the hospital, and entertainment is important to veterans recuperating from physical and emotional injuries."

Also as a part of their Its Your Turn Tour, the band offered free admittance to all active duty personnel to any of their concerts across the country.

Walter Reed

For the past two years, the band has performed during Veteran's Day week at the Walter Reed Medical Center. Working with organizations like Yellow Ribbon Fund, Side FX has been able to continue their efforts with raising awareness for active duty personnel and their struggles as they return home. This past year, the troops gave Kim and band a special treat - custom made T Shirts direct from an Iraq-based command. The band worn them with pride during the show.

They were also featured at the National Milblogger's conference in 2009 after they released a music video My Hero dedicated to the military. The video featured photos sent in from active duty troops from across the globe.

Awareness

Kim and the band have appeared on Veteran's News Channel, the Pentagon Channel, Hooah Radio, Military Updates, Great Americans, American Valor, USA Patriotism amongst others in an attempt to show their support and respect to those who serve our country.

The Beginning

Kim started her movement to help veterans forget about the war about two and half years ago, when she met a soldier on a plane to Washington who was coming back from Iraq after a second Middle East tour. ``What struck me was that he was a college graduate, very smart, and could have easily taken an easy route with a corporate job. He said he wanted to serve the country because he felt it was something he wanted to do personally,'' said Cameron. ``But after all the work, he said, getting injured and coming back, nothing had changed. He said nothing he had done seemed to matter, and it just struck my soul.'' It was after she got off that plane that she decided to write a song about what she heard, she said. The song, titled My Hero, includes the lyrics:

His courage & strength. Kept us safe. Can scars heal a nation? What would that take?

Ever since, she's worked with the Veterans Administration volunteer network.

``These are probably the most rewarding experiences I've had in my entire life,'' Kim said.