Stephen Pate editor and owner of NJN Network has recorded the Elvis classic Blue Christmas and is donating all proceeds to the Schizophrenia Society. Even internet downloads or sharing will generate a donation.

PRLog (Press Release) – Dec 20, 2010 – Stephen Pate, editor and owner of NJN Network, has  recorded the Elvis classic Blue Christmas and is donating  the proceeds plus more to charity.

“Christmas is supposed to be a happy time,” said Pate “but  for the many people suffering from mental disabilities it  can be a time of deeper anguish.”

“The song is about a boy who misses his girlfriend at  Christmas. We thought it would be nice to donate the  proceeds to the Schizophrenia Society who help people with  mental illness and resulting disabilities.”

“Since file sharing is popular these days, we are donating $.10 cents for every person who listens to the song or downloads it for free. When the song is purchased for $0.99 we will donate $1.09.”

NJN Network has also donated all production costs and the copyright royalty to this project. The musicians donated their time. Avolve Technology donated their graphic design for the cover art. 

Schizophrenia and psychosis are characterized by delusions, hallucinations,  disturbances in thinking and withdrawal from social activity. Although they are serious mental illnesses, schizophrenia and psychosis are treatable and most people do go on to live lives of recovery. (from Schizophrenia Society website http://www.schizophrenia.ca/ )

Schizophrenia affects more than 300,000 Canadians and their families.

“One of my aunts had schizophrenia,” said Pate. “In a large family, it’s not unusual to  have relatives with mental illness. Depression is prevalent throughout society and touches most families.”

“Back in my aunt’s day, it was hushed up. Today we can talk about mental illness more openly which is an encouraging sign. People don’t need to be stigmatized by something that can happen to anyone.”

“From all of us in the band,” added Pate “and NJN Network, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Holiday Season.”

You can listen to Blue Christmas at the following sites

The ReverbNation site has shareable links if you would like to spread the word.

Donations to the Schizophrenia Society can be made at directly to – Schizophrenia Society of PEI, PO Box 25020,Charlottetown PE  C1A 9N4

The donations program to the Schizophrenia Society runs from December 20, 2010 to March 31, 2011. Payments will be made based on statements from CDBaby who distribute the song exclusively and from Reverbnation and NJN Network statistics for views and downloads. Payment will be made 30 days after payment is received from our distribution partner – Rambling Boy Music Ltd.