Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project Announces Plans, Hazel Daniels Joins Board

Charlie and Hazel Daniels
Rick Diamond / Getty Images – Charlie and Hazel Daniels
Musician Charlie Daniels (R) and wife Hazel Daniels (L) attend the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Medallion Ceremony to celebrate 2017 hall of fame inductees Alan Jackson, Jerry Reed And Don Schlitz at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on October 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Journey Home Project, a non-profit veterans organization founded by the late Charlie Daniels, will forge ahead as The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project and has added the Country Music Hall of Famer’s wife Hazel to its board of directors, longtime manager and foundation co-founder David Corlew announced. 

“Even though Charlie has passed, we will continue his legacy and stay on mission,” explains Corlew. “As we all know, the men and women that have and continue to serve our country were so important to him. Our goals are to always support the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Center at MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University), as well as our suicide prevention programs and the process of reintegrating and transitioning these great Americans back to a productive and rewarding life.”
Daniel’s son, Charlie Daniels Jr., believes the addition of his mother to the board is a fitting one. 
“I know dad felt it was a privilege to help give back to our brave heroes as they return to civilian life, and there is no one who knew his passion for serving veterans more than my mom,” he explains. “I know that mom will carry on his passion, and I’m sure he’s smiling from up above to know that TJHP will continue on and will be in great hands.”
While COVID-19 restrictions have put projects like the Charlie Daniels Patriot Award Dinner and the annual Volunteer Jam (which donates to the fund) on the shelf for 2020, both will continue once restrictions are lifted. The 2020 Charlie Daniels Patriot Award is expected to be announced in coming weeks, though not at the otherwise-annual Patriot Dinner at Nashville’s Palm restaurant. 
Previous Patriot Award winners include country star Chris Young, former Military Systems Group CEO William Horton, music industry international talent buyer/promoter Judy Seale, and the Atlanta-based Shepherd Center.
The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project has also continues to be active, donating $10,000 last month to the A Soldier’s Child Foundation, which benefits children of veterans with birthday gifts and camp scholarships. Artist and close Daniels friend Trace Adkins was on hand to perform as well as assist with the check presentation. 
The foundation also plans a songwriting collaboration and partnership with Tennessee-based Operation Song and Texas-based Warriors Heart organizations, both dedicated to the well-being of U.S. vets.