Jon Bon Jovi
has been named the first "Founding Ambassador" of the Habitat for Humanity
Ambassador program as part of the international-nonprofit organization's new
advocacy outreach initiative. The program goal is to engage celebrities and
entertainment industry leaders that can bring heightened awareness to the
worldwide-housing crisis and to Habitat's effort in providing safe, decent and
affordable shelter.(PRNewsFoto/Habitat For Humanity International,Steffan Hacker
for HFHI)
AMERICUS, GA UNITED STATES 10/24/2006
Habitat for Humanity logo. (PRNewsFoto/HABITAT FOR HUMANITY)
AMERICUS, GA UNITED STATES 08/31/2006
AMERICUS, Ga., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock icon and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi
has been named the first Founding Ambassador of the Habitat for Humanity
Ambassador program as part of the international-nonprofit organization's new
advocacy outreach initiative.
"From their relief efforts in the wake of the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, 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, The Philadelphia Soul and with my band
over the past year. Handing over the keys to the families who have worked to
earn them has afforded me some of the proudest, most uplifting moments of my
life. As a Habitat for Humanity Ambassador, I now have the opportunity to help
this work continue and I encourage others to become involved and share in the
rebuilding of their communities as well."
Bon Jovi has been raising awareness with Habitat for Humanity since 2005 when he
provided the funds to build six homes in Philadelphia and built the homes
alongside the homeowner families, as well as with members of his Philadelphia
Soul Arena Football Team. The construction site also served 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 donation to build 28 Habitat homes in Louisiana
in partnership with low-income families on the hurricane-stricken coast. Earlier
this month, Bon Jovi announced a project that will rehabilitate a block of 15
homes in north Philadelphia. Bon Jovi spearheaded the groundbreaking partnership
that will join Habitat for Humanity, Project H.O.M.E., Saturn and The
Philadelphia
Soul Charitable Foundation.
"We couldn't be more pleased that Jon Bon Jovi has agreed to become the first
Habitat for Humanity Ambassador," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for
Humanity International. "Jon's shining example of advocating on behalf of people
around the world who lack decent housing will help call others to action in this
effort to eliminate substandard housing. Jon exemplifies qualities that we all
aspire to emulate ... he is a leader ... compassionate, articulate and credible.
His commitment to our mission is both appreciated and inspiring. As a result of
Jon's kindness and generosity, numerous families now have a warm and safe place
to call home." The newly created Habitat for Humanity Ambassadors Program is an
advocacy initiative that is a joint effort between Habitat for Humanity
International and the entertainment-industry-support organization, Hollywood for
Habitat for Humanity. Its goal is to engage celebrities and entertainment
industry leaders that can bring heightened awareness to the
worldwide-housing crisis and to Habitat's effort in providing safe, decent and
affordable shelter.
Ambassadors are chosen to recognize the work that they are already doing on
behalf of Habitat for Humanity, and because of their active interest in poverty
housing issues and their willingness to serve as
influential advocates for affordable and decent housing. Ambassador work may
include building with local Habitat affiliates in the United States or in one of
the more than 90 countries where Habitat for Humanity builds worldwide. Duties
also may include participating in targeted public service announcements and
campaigns, using their high visibility and profile to raise funds and awareness
for the organization and mobilizing volunteers globally.
Founding Habitat for Humanity Ambassadors will be involved in the Jimmy Carter
Work Project 2007 in Los Angeles by participating in building and
awareness-raising activities. Habitat's Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007 will kick
off with a gala luncheon in March in Los Angeles honoring President Carter for
his lifelong Humanitarian efforts.
About Jon Bon Jovi
Musician, singer, songwriter and actor, Jon Bon Jovi is most recognizable as the
voice for the band Bon Jovi. Since the group's formation in the early 1980s, Bon
Jovi has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and at more than 2,700
shows in 47 countries more than 32 million fans have seen Bon Jovi in concert.
The band's latest album, Have a Nice Day, includes the smash hit "Who Says You
Can't Go Home," which made history as Bon Jovi became the first rock band ever
to have a No. 1 hit on the country chart. The tour that followed was one of the
top grossing tours of 2005-2006, playing to more
than 2 million concert-goers worldwide. As the co-owner of the AFL's
Philadelphia Soul, Jon Bon Jovi introduced a new model of sports ownership. From
the inception of the franchise, the mission was to use the team to give back to
the local community. Heading into 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 and include the creation of the
Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation; the launch of a limited edition
outerwear collection with Kenneth Cole New York (with proceeds benefiting HELP
USA); partnering with Project H.O.M.E. in Philadelphia; and a sustained
partnership with Habitat for Humanity that has thus far provided 49 families
with a place to call home.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for
Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its
work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its
founding in Americus, Ga., in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses
in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for
more than 1 million people.
About Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity is
an entertainment industry partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Actors,
screenwriters, directors, producers, musicians, and studio executives are among
the thousands of volunteers who have helped build homes with people in need.
Hollywood for Habitat was founded by screenwriter and director Randall Wallace
("Braveheart," "We Were Soldiers") to encourage the entertainment industry to
support (through donations, volunteer hours and publicity) Habitat for
Humanity's goal of ending poverty housing worldwide and making poverty housing a
matter of conscience and action. Hollywood for Habitat has sponsored more than
150 homes around the world, with support from ABC, Creative Artists Agency,
Disney, Endeavor Agency, Fox, The Hollywood Reporter, In Style, MGM, Paramount
Pictures, Shady Acres Entertainment, Sony Pictures, United Talent Agency,
Universal Studios, Warner Bros., Wheelhouse Entertainment and William Morris
Agency, among other industry leaders.