News Segment
JON BON JOVI NAMED FOUNDING AMBASSADOR FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
October 24, 2006
AMERICUS, Ga., Oct. 24 – Rock icon and philanthropist JonBon Jovi has been named the first Founding Ambassador of the Habitat forHumanity Ambassador program as part of the international-nonprofitorganization’s new advocacy outreach initiative.
“From their relief efforts in the wake of the tsunami and HurricaneKatrina, to the thousands of houses they construct around the world,Habitat for Humanity builds homes, lives, and dreams,” says Jon Bon Jovi.”I’ve worked with Habitat in partnerships with my football team, ThePhiladelphia Soul and with my band over the past year. Handing over thekeys to the families who have worked to earn them has afforded me some ofthe proudest, most uplifting moments of my life. As a Habitat for HumanityAmbassador, I now have the opportunity to help this work continue and Iencourage others to become involved and share in the rebuilding of theircommunities as well.”
Bon Jovi has been raising awareness with Habitat for Humanity since2005 when he provided the funds to build six homes in Philadelphia andbuilt the homes alongside the homeowner families, as well as with membersof his Philadelphia Soul Arena Football Team. The construction site alsoserved as the video shoot location for his band’s chart-topping single,”Who Says You Can’t Go Home.” In 2006, Bon Jovi made a $1 million donationto build 28 Habitat homes in Louisiana in partnership with low-incomefamilies on the hurricane-stricken coast. Earlier this month, Bon Joviannounced a project that will rehabilitate a block of 15 homes in northPhiladelphia. Bon Jovi spearheaded the groundbreaking partnership that willjoin Habitat for Humanity, Project H.O.M.E., Saturn and The PhiladelphiaSoul Charitable Foundation.
“We couldn’t be more pleased that Jon Bon Jovi has agreed to become thefirst Habitat for Humanity Ambassador,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO ofHabitat for Humanity International. “Jon’s shining example of advocating onbehalf of people around the world who lack decent housing will help callothers to action in this effort to eliminate substandard housing. Jonexemplifies qualities that we all aspire to emulate … he is a leader …compassionate, articulate and credible. His commitment to our mission isboth appreciated and inspiring. As a result of Jon’s kindness andgenerosity, numerous families now have a warm and safe place to call home.”
The newly created Habitat for Humanity Ambassadors Program is anadvocacy initiative that is a joint effort between Habitat for HumanityInternational and the entertainment-industry-support organization,Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity. Its goal is to engage celebrities andentertainment industry leaders that can bring heightened awareness to theworldwide-housing crisis and to Habitat’s effort in providing safe, decentand affordable shelter.
Ambassadors are chosen to recognize the work that they are alreadydoing on behalf of Habitat for Humanity, and because of their activeinterest in poverty housing issues and their willingness to serve asinfluential advocates for affordable and decent housing. Ambassador workmay include building with local Habitat affiliates in the United States orin one of the more than 90 countries where Habitat for Humanity buildsworldwide. Duties also may include participating in targeted public serviceannouncements and campaigns, using their high visibility and profile toraise funds and awareness for the organization and mobilizing volunteersglobally.
Founding Habitat for Humanity Ambassadors will be involved in the JimmyCarter Work Project 2007 in Los Angeles by participating in building andawareness-raising activities. Habitat’s Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007 willkick off with a gala luncheon in March in Los Angeles honoring PresidentCarter for his lifelong Humanitarian efforts.
About Jon Bon Jovi
Musician, singer, songwriter and actor, Jon Bon Jovi is mostrecognizable as the voice for the band Bon Jovi. Since the group’sformation in the early 1980s, Bon Jovi has sold more than 100 millionrecords worldwide and at more than 2,700 shows in 47 countries more than 32million fans have seen Bon Jovi in concert.
The band’s latest album, Have a Nice Day, includes the smash hit “WhoSays You Can’t Go Home,” which made history as Bon Jovi became the firstrock band ever to have a No. 1 hit on the country chart. The tour thatfollowed was one of the top grossing tours of 2005-2006, playing to morethan 2 million concert-goers worldwide.
As the co-owner of the AFL’s Philadelphia Soul, Jon Bon Jovi introduceda new model of sports ownership. From the inception of the franchise, themission was to use the team to give back to the local community. Headinginto their fourth season, the Philadelphia Soul organization has given away$2 million to local causes.
Bon Jovi’s charitable works focus on the issue of homelessness andinclude the creation of the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation; thelaunch of a limited edition outerwear collection with Kenneth Cole New York(with proceeds benefiting HELP USA); partnering with Project H.O.M.E. inPhiladelphia; and a sustained partnership with Habitat for Humanity thathas thus far provided 49 families with a place to call home. For moreinformation visit http://www.bonjovi.com and http://www.philadelphiasoul.com.
Courtesy of www.prnewswire.com