Finally you can check out Simple Plan’s full performance with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra on one single video on YouTube. This very unusual collaboration took place last fall at a benefit event, that the Simple Plan Foundation hosts anually. So in case you haven’t seen a part of this, or are just dying to see it as a whole, check it out on the video below:

About two months ago, Chuck wrote his first article for the server Le Huffington Post – and back then he reviewed a part of Simple Plan’s tour across Asia.

Now, Mr. Comeau has returned to his quill again and wrote another article for this press – this time about his thoughts on being recognized for their work with the Simple Plan Foundation by receiving a humanitarian award last month.

You can read the English translation of the original French post here:

When music saves lives
by Chuck Comeau

On March 31st, at the Gala Dinner of the JUNO Awards, Simple Plan was awarded with the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, that annually recognizes outstanding humanitarian commitments of Canadian artists. We were awarded for our work with the Simple Plan Foundation. Among the other musicians who were the recipients of this prestigious award in the past are Neil Young, Bryan Adams and Sarah McLachlan. In 2012, the Simple Plan Foundation will reach the exceptional line of $1 million in donations to organizations that assist young people in need or those who suffer from various diśeases.

For our band, receiving an award that recognizes the work of our Foundation, is certainly one of the most beautiful moments of our career. This is a very special award and it was definitely an evening that we will never forget. We sincerely appreciate it.

When we had the idea of creating the Simple Plan Foundation six years ago, none of us could ever imagine how important it was going to be to us. Certainly, we never suspected all the work it would require. More importantly, none of us knew at that moment, how much would engaging and sharing be rewarding for us. Today, the Foundation has become a part of who we are as a band and as individuals and we can no longer define ourselves differently.

We all had a chance to grow up in families that have taught us ever since we were young that when you achieve something huge in your life, you have to be generous and give back to the community. We were blessed with an exceptional career and having the incredible privilege to make our dreams come true. Every day we get up, travel the world and do what we love to do. Only two weeks ago, we’ve celebrated the 10th anniversary of our first album and at the same time, 13 years since the start of our band. We are extremely grateful for all that life has given us. The Foundation is our way of helping those who are perhaps not as fortunate as us.

It’s pretty amazing that all this, our career and the Foundation, we owe to the extraordinary power of music. It is through music that the five of us found a passion, a purpose in our lives, and we became who we are today. It was thanks to music that we were able to communicate with our fans all around the world, who have found something meaningful in our songs that they could relate to. We can not say how many times it has happened that a fan came to us after a show to tells us that if it wasn’t for our music, they would not be here today. How many times we have received letters and emails from fans telling us that music is their only interest, their only motivation and the only thing that makes sense in their life. After the first few times you can take these words lightly and say they just exaggerate, but when it happens again – 10 times, 20 times and even hundreds of times, you start to realize that what they’re saying is real and sincere.

A simple song, in the right place, at the right time can change everything. It can bring a smile, making a day better, help people through tough times, raise money for various good causes and sometimes it can even save a life. At times like these, when many consider music a disposable product, it is more crucial than ever to remember how important music itself is. This sums up the mission of the Simple Plan Foundation: helping troubled youth through the power of music.

Ever sice we started with the Foundation, we try to raise funds and awareness about the causes that are important to us – all that through annual benefit concerts for the Foundation, participation in events like Live 8 , MTV Asia Aid and We Day, initiatives against drunk driving like MADD, RADD and Educ Alcohol, involvement with the charitable song “Waving Flag” for Haiti, campaign sales of bracelets and wallets for War Child, participation in the United Way campaign, selling t-shirts to benefit the Red Cross to help the victims of the Japanese earthquake… These are some ways that allow us to achieve our goals. In addition, we recently decided to give $1 from each ticket sold at our tours around the world. For us it is another way to make sure that we can continue the mission of the Foundation.

Obviously, all the work that the charity would not be possible without the help of all the people who support us. First, we would to thank our wonderful volunteers. None of them was ever paid and never received even a cent for their incredible commitment to this cause: it is them to whom we owe the fact that we‘ve received the Allan Waters‘ award. It is also thanks to our fans who support us in all our charitable initiatives, that the Foundation can help so many young people. They are also the ones who, with their many stories, their experiences and often very moving letters, inspired us to want to get involved and “give back”.

In the end, I’d like to say that we are very proud to be, so far, the youngest recipients of this award. Indeed there is no requirement to wait until being 50 or 60 years old to begin to help others. We sincerely hope that this award will encourage other young bands and artists to also commit themselves to good causes.

The website Press Plus 1 finally released on their YouTube channel their interview with Sebastien, Chuck and Jeff (from which we’ve only seen a couple of photos so far) from the backstage of the Juno Awards Gala Dinner, where Simple Plan have become the youngest recipients of the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award for their work with the Simple Plan Foundaiton.

Apart from an interview with the band, this video also includes some never-seen-before footage from Simple Plan’s acceptance speech:

As a part of their work with the Simple Plan Foundation, Simple Plan are also trying to fight not only against serious diseases, but also against things like bullying, violence or homophobia. This is also the reason why they’ve just become involved with a campaign produced by a Canadian game show for children called “Mégallô”, which is trying to raise awareness about this subject through special episodes by showing the kids (and also teachers and parents), who experience violence, rejection or bullying (at school or on the internet) ways how they can get help. The program now includes panels with representatives of the Kids Help Phone and also some inspirational messages from celebrities.

The inspirational message from Simple Plan aired a couple days ago, and now thanks to Charbel you can check it out below, along with an English translation of the message:

Pierre: Hey! We are Simple Plan and we are here to talk about bullying. It’s a very serious subject. We shouldn’t ignore it.
Jeff: What is important to remember, is that we are all unique, we all have something special to offer and we shouldn’t let others bring us down.
Chuck: If it ever happens to you, please don’t forget that things will get better. If you are a victim, you have to react.
Pierre: Thank you.

Last year, I’ve informed you about the event that Jeff attended as a speaker on October 16th. The “Recognition Ceremony”, organised by a nonprofit Canadian foundation called Portage, servers to honour those, who have successfully overcome their drug addiction. At this year’s Recognition Ceremony, Portage was honouring 230 people.

Jeff Stinco was invited there as a speaker and a representative of the Simple Plan Foundation. According to the Portage’s website, Jeff expressed his admiration for the graduates’ journey and for the work being done by the staff at Portage. He stated that the members of his band, Simple Plan, are committed to a healthy lifestyle, and that they strive to be role models for all the adolescents they encounter around the world.

“I am proud to be here today, representing the Simple Plan Foundation, an enthusiastic supporter of Portage, more specifically its MICA rehabilitation program for people with mental illness.”

In the gallery you can now check out one picture of Jeff from the Recognition Ceremony:

Two months ago, In February 2012, Sebastien (as a representative of the Simple Plan Foundation) attended a charitable triathlon that took place in the center of Montreal, to support the Sainte-Justine hospital. You can remind yourself of more infor about this event from the SP.cz post from February.

Now, here one new picture of Sebastien from this event and also an interview that was done by the host of the event – actress Julie Du Page. Thanks to Helene (who kindly translated the interview into English for us) you can now read the interview here (or watch the video below – at mark 1:37):

Julie: Sebastien from Simple Plan for the St Justine Foundation! What are you doing here?
Sebastien: Friends of mine are organizing this event and with the Simple Plan Foundation we’ve been working with them for a long time. We try to help them the best we can. So coming here to represent our foundation and encourage the people who give time and money for an event like this is the least we can do.

Julie: So, it’s not the first time you are attending it?
Sebastien: No, I’ve come here for 4 – 5 years. I’m always in town when the event takes place so it’s always a pleasure to take part in it.