January 24, 2011

Publication title: cbc.ca, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
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Sarah McLachlan honoured for philanthropy

Sarah McLachlan, a multiple Grammy and Juno award-winner for her music, will be honoured for her philanthropy in March during Canadian Music Week.

The Vancouver-based singer-songwriter has been named the 2011 recipient of the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award, which recognizes an artist’s charitable work.

Gary Slaight, president of Slaight Communications, praised McLachlan for inspiring “fans and her peers worldwide through her music and profound lyrics.

“As a philanthropist and human being, her spirit, generosity and compassion have encouraged us to look outside our windows and see the world that needs our aid,” he continued.

McLachlan has been involved with a host of causes over her career, including raising more than $7 million for charities and women’s shelters across North American through her Lilith Fair touring music festival and raising millions for animal rights organizations (including filming a two-minute ad for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that featured her song Angel and raised $30 million).

She is also a strong advocate of music education and established her namesake foundation to bring music lessons, workshops and mentorship to inner-city children and underserved communities.

McLachlan will receive the honour at the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards in Toronto on March 10. Past recipients have included singer Tom Cochrane and broadcast executive Denise Donlon.

Canadian Music Week runs March 9-13.